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

Relevance

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
  • With the European Union banning large companies from destroying unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation as of July, the case for Unspun’s technology becomes more compelling.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The mayor faced voter outrage over the Palisades fire, which broke out in January 2025, destroying thousands of homes and leaving 12 people dead.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 8 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
  • The novels follow Cammie Skoura, a brilliant, neurodivergent young scientist aboard a deep-space expedition that uncovers a trail of ancient ruins and long-dead alien civilizations leading toward a mind-shattering discovery.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The exact crew number is unclear, but all of them (around 14 sailors) reportedly drowned after veering off-course and wrecking along the coast of southern Wales.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The story here is about the strange relationships that form in the wake of devastating loss, and an examination of the unpredictable, messy and confusing connections often found between people experiencing grief.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Just one week after devastating flooding across southwest Colorado, another powerful storm is moving in.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The row of storefronts between Chili’s and the Apple Cinema has numerous vacancies, and in the spring of 2025 a developer proposed demolishing part of the retail space for large apartment complex.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Trump has focused extensively on White House renovations, including supergluing gold decorations himself in the Oval Office and demolishing the East Wing to make room for the ballroom, the New York Times reported.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The post fell with a thunderous crash across the hood of the car, smashing the windshield and injuring Dad.
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • That means arbitrary Drake covers and Max B homages, smooth ballads on smashing cougars and dirty macking.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Third of all, overcoming two years of dread took a long time.
    — Monique John, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • About that theme of overcoming numerous challenges, from March through October.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wracking. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!