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wracks

verb

present tense third-person singular of wrack
as in destroys
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 wracks Her cough wracks her whole body, rounding her delicate bird shoulders. — Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wracks
  1. destroys
  2. ruins
  3. devastates
  4. shatters
  5. wrecks
  6. demolishes
  7. smashes
  8. overcomes
Verb
  • The approval marks another step forward for patients with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare and progressive disease that destroys nerve cells that control speaking, breathing, and walking.
    — Ed Silverman, STAT, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Among other things, Hinduism reveres femininity through the worship of powerful goddesses, including Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom; Kali, the goddess who destroys evil and ego; and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of destroys
Verb
  • Nothing ruins an outfit faster than an ill-fitting bra, which is why this V-neck option caught our eye.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Bringing these types of guys back is what ruins a team’s flexibility.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruins
Verb
  • As climate chaos causes oceans to swallow coastlands, and as surging water displaces and devastates communities, social survival will demand that people find ways to live and work with – and on – the water.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The urban planner and former professor also knows what happens next after a powerful earthquake devastates whole communities.
    — Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of devastates
Verb
  • But before any collective exhale can commence, the mood shatters.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Inadvertently, our entry shatters the glass ceiling, since Georgia and I are the only girls there.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of shatters
Verb
  • That’s because even ordinary winds – and far worse, storms and earthquakes – cause tall buildings to sway, which ruins people’s concentration, wrecks their mood, and even exhausts them.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 July 2026
  • As is the case with the Delta Aquarids, the moon, only one day past full, unfortunately, wrecks any chances of getting any decent views this year.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of wrecks
Verb
  • An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar.
    — Utkarsh Sood June 12, New Atlas, 12 June 2026
  • The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Definition of demolishes
Verb
  • The bamboo smashes into bone and the scene in my mind bursts into a million white pieces.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The parents can be seen in the video rushing toward their children as the car smashes through the fence.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of smashes
Verb
  • This biological method overcomes high-heat processing and creates an eco-friendly system.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Maybe your favorite wrestler finally overcomes insurmountable odds to become a world champion.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of overcomes

Browse Nearby Words

wracking
wracks
wraith
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Cite this Entry

“Wracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wracks. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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