Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

wreckage

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of wreckage

1 the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
  • the wreckage of those ancient statues represents a great loss to the art world
Synonyms of wreckage

annihilation, decimation, demolishment, demolition, desolation, destruction, devastation, extermination, extinction, havoc, loss, mincemeat, obliteration, ruin, ruination, wastage
Words Related to wreckage

depredation, despoilment, despoliation

breakup, collapse, disintegration, dissolution

assassination, execution, killing, massacre, slaughter

dismantlement, effacement, eradication
Near Antonyms of wreckage

rescue, salvage, salvation, saving

conservation, preservation, protection

reclamation, reconstruction, re-creation, refurbishment, regeneracy, remodeling, renovation, restoration
Antonyms of wreckage

building, construction, erection, raising
2 the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed
  • the wreckage of the cathedral was kept as a memorial and as a reminder of warʼs terrible cost
Synonyms of wreckage

ashes, debris, detritus, flotsam, remains, residue, rubble, ruins, wreck
Words Related to wreckage

jetsam, leavings, remnant

chaff, deadwood, dross, dust, garbage, junk, litter, refuse, riffraff, rubbish, scrap, trash, waste
3 the destruction or loss of a ship
  • debris floated ashore for weeks after the wreckage
Synonyms of wreckage

shipwreck, shipwrecking, wreck, wrecking
Words Related to wreckage

beaching, grounding, stranding

foundering, sinking

scuttling
Near Antonyms of wreckage

recovery, salvage, salvaging

Learn More about wreckage

  1. Dictionary: Definition of wreckage Spanish Central: Translation of wreckage Nglish: Translation of wreckage for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wreckage for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up wreckage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

bower

Listen to the pronounciation of bower

a shady place in a garden or forest

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. exonerate Barr summarizes Mueller report

  2. catamount Vermont enters the Round of 64

  3. mendacious, mendacity George Conway calls Trump a liar

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games