shipwreck 1 of 2

noun

ˈship-ˌrek How to pronounce shipwreck (audio)
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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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

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
Production also filmed at Sunnyside Beach, where video footage appeared to show shipwreck debris scattered along the shore, suggesting the location would be used for scenes of struggle. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026 Visit The Graveyard Of The Atlantic Museum Learn about the state’s most dramatic shipwreck stories at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
Verb
Over Your Dead Body follows a married couple whose relationship is beyond shipwrecked. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026 In 1543 several Portuguese were shipwrecked on the island of Tanega, off southern Kyushu. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shipwreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shipwreck
  1. wrecking
  2. disaster
  3. wreck
  4. sinking
  5. catastrophe
  6. failure
Noun
  • At least, there was a lot less wrecking.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Definition of wrecking
Noun
  • Established by Congress in 1990, TPS gives temporary protection to people who don’t feel safe returning to countries plagued by disaster or armed conflict such as El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.
    — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 July 2026
  • That was, frankly, ridiculous, and our coverage said as much, arguing that this deep dive into one of Hollywood’s most notorious genre disasters deserved a much wider release.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
Definition of disaster
Verb
  • Elsewhere, La’An continues her investigation via Harper’s personal video log, an effort that takes a disturbing turn when Harper addresses her directly while Kirk sees that their shuttle has been wrecked.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 July 2026
  • Etna’s country prevails but is demolished in the process; its people and animals are left wrecked, hungry, and homeless.
    — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of wreck
Noun
  • News of the body recovery piqued wide interest in light of the sinking of the Volare, a 49-foot three-story vessel that capsized July 14 near Alcatraz.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
  • When the sheriff's office arrived at the scene, the plane was on fire and sinking.
    — ABC NEWS, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of sinking
Noun
  • California suffered a near catastrophe on pension debt during the great recession.
    — Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 25 July 2026
  • Members are also holding weekly evening vigils at the parish to draw attention to this latest Eastside environmental catastrophe.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of catastrophe
Noun
  • The letter argues that openness prevents lock-in and that concentrating capability creates single points of failure.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • For Luis Javier Santos, the former head of UFERCO who investigated the case against Hernández, the former leader’s return represents a failure to prosecute him for his crimes, rather than a chance for justice.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
Definition of failure

Browse Nearby Words

ships (out)
shipwreck
shipwrecked
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Cite this Entry

“Shipwreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shipwreck. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shipwreck

Nglish: Translation of shipwreck for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shipwreck

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