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
Ship models, ancient navigation instruments, maps, and shipwreck artifacts illustrate the skills and dangers involved in these journeys. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 Stingray City may get top billing, but Grand Cayman’s coral gardens, shore reefs, sea turtles, and shipwrecks give snorkelers plenty of reasons to keep exploring. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 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 In 1623, Francis Bacon penned The New Atlantis, which recounts the rescue of sailors shipwrecked off of the eastern coast of South America. — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 28 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
  • The organization provides individuals and families with essential products, including merchandise donated by retailers and manufacturers, to help them through poverty, disaster and other challenging circumstances.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Kim called for a public nonprofit disaster insurance program that would cover wildfire risks for existing homes.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of disaster
Verb
  • And the Bears’ defense got a major boost with last week’s blockbuster trade for game-wrecking defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Who's gonna get in line first next week at Homestead to wreck Carson Hocevar?
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of wreck
Noun
  • The sinking will give new life to a vessel whose once-striking black-and-red exterior paint has been faded by the sun as rust spots pockmark a hull that ferried American luminaries and European royals across the Atlantic Ocean.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
  • For most of their debut, there’s a sinking feeling that this may be it.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of sinking
Noun
  • At the time of the last catastrophe, a convulsive shift in media consumption began undermining the value of the legacy distribution scheme, which in turn led to grave uncertainties related to revenue sharing.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The strategy provided insurers with concessions such as the right to charge policyholders for the reinsurance carriers must buy to protect themselves from catastrophes, such as the January 2025 wildfires.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of catastrophe
Noun
  • Obstacles, wind, sensor errors, or other system failures can prevent it from completing the maneuver safely.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Coach Mikey Varas has spent the past week asking his players to confront their failure to reach the MLS Cup playoffs rather than simply count down the days until the offseason.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 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 11 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shipwreck

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shipwreck

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