1
as in wrecking
the destruction or loss of a ship
the shipwreck of much of the Spanish Armada ended Spain's plans for invading England
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disaster
something that has failed
finally admitted that their marriage was a shipwreck and that the time had come to bail out
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shipwreck
Mark Price, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
The National Museum of the Great Lakes this week announced the discovery of a 157-year-old shipwreck in Lake Erie, the second 1800s wreck revealed this month.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Abigail Lee, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
Democrats insisted the survivors were helpless and should have been rescued to comply with international laws that call for either sides in a conflict to help combatants who fall overboard or are shipwrecked.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shipwreck
Noun
The 24-year-old diving boat, named the Nekton Rorqual, delayed its fate, but still ended up a shipwreck.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
The National Museum of the Great Lakes this week announced the discovery of a 157-year-old shipwreck in Lake Erie, the second 1800s wreck revealed this month.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
The trailer shows Odysseus get shipwrecked along with his army and make his way back home during a treacherous journey.
—Abigail Lee, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
Democrats insisted the survivors were helpless and should have been rescued to comply with international laws that call for either sides in a conflict to help combatants who fall overboard or are shipwrecked.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shipwreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shipwreck
Noun
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At least, there was a lot less wrecking.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And the bipartisan Washington consensus eschews reforms in favor of praying that the economy magically grows its way out of this fiscal disaster.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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Hundreds of agency staff, including those involved with disaster recovery efforts, have been grounded.—
Brianna Sacks,
Washington Post,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His digestive system was wrecked by recurring dysentery and colic, and the calomel prescribed by his doctors only made things worse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
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Listed at 6-3 and 315 pounds, the ultra-athletic Woods is the prototype for a game-wrecking defensive tackle.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Videos and photos posted online appeared to show the back of the tanker engulfed in flames and smoke and sinking.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
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Together, Kevin and the Bandits meet Napoleon Bonaparte and Robin Hood, and visit ancient Greece and the sinking of the Titanic.—
Danny Horn,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Democrats continued to criticize the White House for its failure to provide a clear and consistent rationale for launching the war.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
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The emergencies included a patient with a life-threatening diabetes complication called diabetic ketoacidosis and a patient going into respiratory failure.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shipwreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shipwreck. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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