shipwreck 1 of 2

Definition of shipwrecknext
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

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2

shipwreck

2 of 2

verb

as in to wreck
to cause irreparable damage to (a ship) by running aground or sinking the yachtsman fell asleep at the wheel and shipwrecked his ketch on the rocks

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shipwreck
Noun
Edivo winery keeps a few bottles of its Navis Mysterium wine inside a shipwreck near the coast of Drace, and organizes dives for visitors who want to explore this unusual cellar. Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026 First into his life comes Jessie involved in a shipwreck with her uncle, a past colleague of Mason’s, who drowns in a vicious storm and almost takes Jessie down with him before she is heroically rescued from near death by Mason, who brings her out of the drink and then back to life. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 Jan. 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
  • 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
  • In one case, the life of an upper-class woman and contemporary of Julius Caesar, Clodia, saw her reputation destroyed by false claims of harlotry, home-wrecking, and husband-killing.
    Time, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The club would mark the anniversary before the game closest to the disaster.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The two were at odds over the press conferences that were held to update the public on the disaster and on efforts to reopen the burn area to traffic.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Lanni was sitting nearby at Sei Less when LaForte wrecked the witness’ table.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The barber chair, the locus of Sweeney’s revenge on the heartless cruelty of a Victorian London that wrecked his life, isn’t the elaborate contraption of other productions.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The video did not mention any specific orders, but the six were plainly referring to the sinking of Venezuelan ships in international waters topped off by the killing of survivors clinging to the wreckage of their vessel.
    James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the sinking.
    Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Because of Tuesday’s rule failure, any bills tucked into that measure sit at a standstill.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The death certificate listed Fisher’s cause of death as septic shock, a bacterial infection, acute kidney failure and pneumonia.
    Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shipwreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shipwreck. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.

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