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
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Recent Examples of wracking
These sequences of process and investigation are captured with all the verve and nerve-wracking tension of a slick spy thriller, aided by a detailed, thundering soundscape sure to leave you on edge.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
In Southern California, Hollywood Burbank and Van Nuys Airports are well known to pilots for their high volume of mixed airplane and helicopter traffic, creating a complex and nerve-wracking operating environment.
—Marc Scribner, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
The woman who recorded the nerve-wracking trip said, at times, both of the driver's hands were off the wheel.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
One thing that's helping her ahead of the nerve-wracking weekend is her training and practice in meditation and breathwork.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Snow, ice, tight merges, and heavy traffic can turn even short journeys into slow, nerve-wracking drives.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
From stomach-churning eating challenges to nerve-wracking physical feats, the competition pushes contestants to their limits in pursuit of the coveted title.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 16 Jan. 2026
Still, the advance notice could help a tenant avoid wracking up a legal history, which can make finding another apartment difficult.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Local officials began wracking their brains for future uses for the sprawling, 53-acre site, which includes older buildings, and some that hold historic designations.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
In Southern California, Hollywood Burbank and Van Nuys Airports are well known to pilots for their high volume of mixed airplane and helicopter traffic, creating a complex and nerve-wracking operating environment.
—Marc Scribner, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
The woman who recorded the nerve-wracking trip said, at times, both of the driver's hands were off the wheel.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
One thing that's helping her ahead of the nerve-wracking weekend is her training and practice in meditation and breathwork.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Snow, ice, tight merges, and heavy traffic can turn even short journeys into slow, nerve-wracking drives.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
From stomach-churning eating challenges to nerve-wracking physical feats, the competition pushes contestants to their limits in pursuit of the coveted title.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 16 Jan. 2026
Still, the advance notice could help a tenant avoid wracking up a legal history, which can make finding another apartment difficult.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Local officials began wracking their brains for future uses for the sprawling, 53-acre site, which includes older buildings, and some that hold historic designations.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wracking
Verb
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The beams would be far brighter than the full moon and, even if carefully pointed, would scatter in the atmosphere to be very bright off-beam, disrupting wildlife and effectively destroying the sky’s remaining natural beauty by erasing the stars from our sight.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
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An estimated 50,000 pounds of ice collapsed the sanctuary roof, destroying nearly everything.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump has long mocked Bush for ruining his presidency by invading Iraq, and his administration over the past week has sought to downplay any parallels between Bush’s misadventures and its own attack on Iran.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
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The White House believed that that Iran was intentionally ruining the Mideast peace process, and then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich had called Iran the most dangerous nation on Earth.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From thunderous victory to shattering downfall, this play delivers sweeping action sequences, political intrigue, and a theatrical experience that hits with the force of a battle drum.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
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That burst of momentum came in a primary that was already shattering spending records.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Elsewhere, a driver was rescued after calling 911 when her Chevy sedan stalled in high water, wrecking just off the road in Morgan Township, according to dispatchers.—
Jennifer Edwards Baker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Mar. 2026
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Earthlings aren't the only ones safe from a city-wrecking-size asteroid.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Through the implementation of strong border policies, fentanyl trafficking across the southern border has been slashed in half, leading to fewer overdose deaths devastating American families.—
Gabe Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
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The Los Angeles County district attorney is investigating whether Southern California Edison should be criminally prosecuted for its actions in last year’s devastating Eaton wildfire, which killed 19 people and left thousands of families homeless, the company said Wednesday.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The arena, which would host sports, concerts and other events, is is expected to cost around $242 million to build, though the entire renovation, which includes demolishing the 58-year-old Millet Hall and installing parking near Cook Field, could cost up to $281 million.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Feb. 2026
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Other possibilities involve demolishing the structure for street-level transit or repurposing it as a pedestrian and bicycle trail.—
David Bauerlein,
Florida Times-Union,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Costco recommends wrapping it in a towel and smashing it into pieces with a hammer.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
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Vulture hosted a special screening of the pilot with ABC on March 3, and Speedman answered all of our questions about smashing props and doing his own stunts.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Whether a brave, thrilling but ultimately unsuccessful attempt at overcoming a seemingly impossible target of 254 to beat India and reach the T20 World Cup final will be enough to make up for England’s desperately disappointing winter.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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His big struggle was overcoming the same challenge most pitchers face after a long layoff.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wracking. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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