wrecks 1 of 2

Definition of wrecksnext
plural of wreck
as in collisions
the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact a dangerous stretch of roadway that has been the scene of numerous car wrecks

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wrecks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wreck
1
as in shipwrecks
to cause irreparable damage to (a ship) by running aground or sinking many an unwary captain has wrecked his ship on the shoals that surround the island

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2
as in ruins
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of most of the furniture on the ground floor was wrecked by the floodwaters

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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 wrecks
Noun
The crash was just the latest in a series of incidents involving auto wrecks and drugs for the golfer. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026 While traditionally believed not to be a problem (unless visiting wrecks or ammo dumps), awareness is now growing that the sunken munitions could pose a serious environmental risk. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026 Transfers and car wrecks and injuries and Simeon Cottle — the best player on the team and maybe in Conference USA — being accused of point-shaving. Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026 Wendy’s wandering eye wrecks rehearsals. Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026 The wrecks sparked conversations in cities across the metro about how to approach traffic safety improvements overall, not just for e-bike users. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026 Industrial wrecks such as the old Studebaker factory are in the process of becoming data centers and office parks. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026 And the sense of reverence for the wrecks is palpable, especially in those who choose to explore these watery historical sites. Brian Higgins, Outside, 2 Mar. 2026 Neighbors worried the venue would mean more congestion and wrecks and lower property values. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
The change launches biannual arguments about the practice, wrecks havoc on sleep and has inspired voters to go to California polls. Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 7 Mar. 2026 In a film like this, you’re ostensibly meant to root against the terror that the central characters wrecks on his victims. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2026 This process wrecks kidney and heart tissue, causing the heart to enlarge and blood vessels to become stiffer, impeding circulation and setting the stage for clots. Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025 The larger dragon has two car launchers and a fire-breathing effect that wrecks passing cars. Clint Davis, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025 That sport is so incredible and wrecks your body. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025 Messy data wrecks forecasts, distorts reporting and wastes time. Thasha Batts, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrecks
Noun
  • Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin appeared to get banged up from a series of collisions and was in obvious pain on the bench in the second.
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Sadly, it’s estimated that more than 100 million to one billion birds die every year in collisions with manmade structures.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Two married sea-explorers are stranded, Gilligan-style, after a storm shipwrecks their craft.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • One drop of red dye ruins the whole thing.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
  • And as per usual, a man ruins everything.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • At least 16 people have died in helicopter crashes in Hawaii in the past seven years, including two crashes in 2019.
    JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • At least 16 people have died in helicopter crashes in Hawaii in the last seven years, including two crashes in 2019.
    Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The agreement follows years of uncertainty over the papers' future and scuttles a rival bid by the owner of the Daily Mail to buy the Telegraph titles.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Besides the occasional random spider that scuttles indoors, some spiders can live in out-of-the-way spots in your home, such as along ceilings or in basements and behind clutter.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rototilling also destroys earthworms and the critical beneficial microbes that interact with plant roots to keep them healthy.
    Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Because scarring alopecia destroys the hair follicles, the resulting hair loss is permanent.
    Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Analysis of past avalanche accidents has indicated that larger group sizes (4 or more people) have higher chances of being caught in avalanches.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The concentration of major highways including I-95, I-595, Florida’s Turnpike, US-1, and A1A in a relatively compact coastal geography means that accidents on any one corridor can have cascading effects on safety and traffic flow across the broader network.
    Anton Lucanus April 3, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The film stars Ryan Gosling as a middle-school science teacher who ends up on a mission to save mankind that strands him in space by himself.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Crystal beads were then added on top of the pearl strands for an even more dazzling arrangement.
    Emma Banks, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrecks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrecks. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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