SHIPWRECK Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

shipwreck 1 of 2

noun

ˈship-ˌrek

Definition of shipwreck

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

as in disaster

something that has failed finally admitted that their marriage was a shipwreck and that the time had come to bail out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The recovery follows the removal of black and brown rats that had accidentally arrived on the island as stowaways on ships and shipwrecks. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 Another time, the hero was a lighthouse keeper who prevents a shipwreck but declines the king’s offer of a reward, because helping people is its own reward. — Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026

Verb

Unique experiences include shipwreck scuba diving in the Straits of Mackinac and checking out the sights from the stunning Castle Rock viewpoint. — Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026 Your host, Miranda, offers a back story to the project that involves her family of scientists being shipwrecked on an island off South America upon which many of the dinosaurs somehow survived to the present day. — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shipwreck

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shipwreck

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

Rodríguez said numerous public officials died in the disaster, including security personnel, municipal employees and military officers.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
The Boyle Heights blaze, similar to the Eaton and Palisades fires, has revealed the region’s air monitoring can’t always tell people what they’ve been exposed to in a disaster.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of disaster

Verb

The good news is that dermatologists and makeup artists have figured out how to keep your SPF topped up without wrecking your foundation, blush or setting spray.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
In the history of mankind, socialist success stories are as rare as triple plays in baseball, but plenty of countries have been wrecked by it — Venezuela and Cuba, to name just two.

— Michael Zais, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026

Definition of wreck

Noun

In the work of fiction, the ship is taken over to prevent catastrophe.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
The young girls are referred to as Heaven’s 27 by their surviving families, who are determined to honor their legacy by ensuring such a catastrophe never happens again.

— Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Noun

According to Castillo, one of the most significant failures has been the tendency to treat many squatter complaints as civil disputes rather than criminal investigations.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Spence also appears to be absorbing the blame for broader failures, with Thomas Tuchel’s touchline frustrations obvious and — for a player still establishing himself at this level — that scrutiny is unlikely to help.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of failure

Browse Nearby Words

ships (out)

shipwreck

shipwrecked

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“Shipwreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shipwreck. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of shipwreck

noun

verb

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