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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Ocracoke is home to a herd of Wild Banker Horses that are the descendants of Spanish mustangs that ended up on the island after a shipwreck several hundred years ago.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
The park service first documented zebra mussels during a training dive at the SS Sevona shipwreck off the Sand Island shoal in 2015.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shipwreck
Noun
Prior to 2019, only four underwater archaeological sites were known in the area, and only one of those could be considered the result of a shipwreck, according to the researchers.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Ocracoke is home to a herd of Wild Banker Horses that are the descendants of Spanish mustangs that ended up on the island after a shipwreck several hundred years ago.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Get shipwrecked on a Robinson Crusoe beach with a picnic of yellowfin ceviche?
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
The park service first documented zebra mussels during a training dive at the SS Sevona shipwreck off the Sand Island shoal in 2015.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 20 Jan. 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
Noun
-
While stationed in Japan, Fryday helped coordinate disaster relief efforts after the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
In year three, there were still injuries, and the team was a disaster.—
David Troy,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Police found Berry’s vehicle, along with personal items inside, wrecked in the driveway – but Berry was not at the home, the warrant says.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
-
The Bills will head into the season without a true, identifiable game-wrecking defensive player on the roster.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The sinking has damaged part of the Friant-Kern Canal, a major water conduit for farms, reducing its carrying capacity and requiring $326 million in repairs.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
More than 20 million people are living on ground sinking above a reservoir.—
Briana Alvarado,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Their bite can lead to rapid respiratory failure and paralysis without prompt medical treatment.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.—
Lexi Nicklaus,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shipwreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shipwreck. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
