1
as in devastation
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rubble
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 war's terrible cost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wreckage
Investigators are now examining the wreckage to determine the exact nature of the malfunction.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
Aerial footage of the aftermath showed wreckage scattered across the roof, including the plane’s right wing still lodged in the roof, while the fuselage sat crumpled in the backyard.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Another posted later shows plumes of smoke rising from the wreckage, with windows in adjacent buildings shattered.
—Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
What comes next depends on what emerges from the wreckage of the Islamic Republic.
—Joseph Epstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wreckage
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
Aerial footage of the aftermath showed wreckage scattered across the roof, including the plane’s right wing still lodged in the roof, while the fuselage sat crumpled in the backyard.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Another posted later shows plumes of smoke rising from the wreckage, with windows in adjacent buildings shattered.
—Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
What comes next depends on what emerges from the wreckage of the Islamic Republic.
—Joseph Epstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wreckage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreckage
Noun
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But through this devastation came a discovery.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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But if the technology went rogue, or fell into the wrong hands, the devastation could be total.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On Saturday morning, piles of bricks and mud were all that were left, along with blankets, cooking utensils and other personal belongings salvaged from the rubble and set into a pile.—
Elena Becatoros,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
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Tangled pieces of barbed wire, reams of rubble and fallen concrete scarred the skyline in Karaj, western Iran, on Friday, after the US military bombed a major new bridge under construction.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At least, there was a lot less wrecking.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The conflict looks set to batter allies’ economies by driving inflation up and hitting economic growth, while analysts have questioned the feasibility of Washington’s goals — whether regime change, or destruction of Tehran’s nuclear program or its missile stockpiles.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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The storm’s heavy rains caused widespread flooding that killed at least 43 people and led to the destruction of banana plantations, sorghum, beans, cassava, coffee and other crops as well as the loss of livestock.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The wind and the cars that drive over the pile scatter the debris into neighbors’ lots, commercial property parking areas, etc.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Rake the area free of any residual plant debris.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Investigators are still working to determine what caused the wreck.—
Madeline Montgomery,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Marine archaeologists have located the wreck of the Dannebroge, a Danish warship that exploded and sank during a battle with a British fleet in 1801, on the seabed of Copenhagen Harbor.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Aquarians are all about maintaining the good of the group, and rarely like to cause havoc.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
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Working low to high, causing havoc on the forecheck, getting pucks back.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ethiopia is home to 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites — including churches, parks and ancient ruins.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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Something of an oxymoron for a city whose reputation is built on ruins.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wreckage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreckage. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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