wracking

present participle of wrack
as in destroying
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of it's amazing how a raging sea can wrack a seemingly sturdy beachfront home

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 wracking Reflecting on the day years later, Camila revealed how nerve-wracking the entire experience actually was. — Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 31 Oct. 2026 Court officials have long been aware of the backlogs wracking this system, even publishing a law review article about it in 2003. — Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026 Through more than a dozen conversations with the cast and writers, Deadline has weaved together an oral history of the series from those nerve-wracking early days on Season 1 to the bittersweet end of production in December 2025. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026 The dam to my grief burst into loud, gut-wrenching sobs, wracking my body and crushing my soul. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 Adding spice to the stew are a coveted Botticelli painting, a lavish wedding, and some nerve-wracking action, especially in an episode mostly set in the forest. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2026 Last Sunday was a particularly nerve-wracking day for all of us. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026 Matthew undergoes periodic brain scans, which are a nerve-wracking time for his parents. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Despite a nerve-wracking 1-0 start (before Bellingham knocked in a deuce), Jagger was seen looking grim and pacing around the VIP box. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wracking
Verb
  • This is the one thing that can stop the agents from destroying us.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Cyberattacks against supermarket refrigeration systems have disrupted grocery operations across Europe, with hackers remotely manipulating temperature controls and destroying perishable food.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Someone else even complained about the self-clean feature ruining their appliance.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Most hunters probably would have taken a shot at the five-pointer, ruining their chances for the record-class bull.
    — Rich LaRocco, Outdoor Life, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Plus, Skullcandy's Crusher Bass technology utilizes dedicated bass drivers to really give you a head-banging experience, sending bone-shattering bass pulsating through your skull.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
  • An August heat wave brought record-shattering temperatures to Southern California.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
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
  • On Mljet, while walking back from the lakes with our wet hair dripping down our backs, someone asks whether anyone has a hair mask, because the sea salt is wrecking hers and ruining her extensions.
    — Michaela Trimble, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The earthquake comes less than two months after a border region of Nepal and Tibet was struck by devastating flash flooding that left hundreds of people dead and destroyed several communities.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been fighting since April 2023, devastating large parts of the country and threatening stability along its borders.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Factor in the unmatched joy kids get from putting peppermint bark in a bag and demolishing it with a rolling pin?
    — Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Following the attack, the Israeli military began forcing Palestinian families to leave their homes in parts of the city as forces began demolishing homes and businesses.
    — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Protests last week devolved into mayhem, with people setting fires, storming public buildings, smashing shop windows, looting and clashing with police.
    — ELITSA GADEVA, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • This was the 36th launch and landing for B1063, which notably launched NASA's DART asteroid-smashing mission in November 2021.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Dolphins had plenty more opportunities after Gordon’s penalty to right the ship, overcoming the challenges that the team’s second-half belly-flop presented.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The Knicks got into the win column for the first time this season by overcoming a 13-point deficit in Tuesday’s home victory against the Detroit Pistons.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wracking. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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