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
Look, these wrecks are a dime-a-dozen at places like Talladega and Daytona. Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026 The researchers also identified wrecks from as recent as the beginning of World War II, documenting the remains of a Maiale, or Pig — a kind of submarine used by the Italian navy to attack the British fleet in the Strait of Gibraltar during World War II, according to Andreo. Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026 Winkler had studied thousands of wrecks. Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 But upon entering, students are fighting with each other, learning how to get into wrecks, and generally falling on the ground a lot. Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026 In a 2024 study, researchers studied nine years of wrecks in Texas up until January 2020. Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 12 Apr. 2026 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 Wendy’s wandering eye wrecks rehearsals. Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 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
  • Altogether, such collisions highlight the risk of space debris to future lunar missions.
    Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 1 May 2026
  • Mountain House saw 12 collisions last month alone, which Osborn said is a high number for a small community.
    Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Two married sea-explorers are stranded, Gilligan-style, after a storm shipwrecks their craft.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • On Bolivia’s Isla del Sol, simple guesthouses and boutique hotels overlook Incan ruins and the seemingly endless blue water.
    Carla Vianna, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Nothing ruins a cute skirt moment faster than thigh chafing.
    Michelle Rostamian, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The constant surveillance added its own form of stress, however—without actually reducing crashes.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
  • In addition to cleaning up the Colorado National Speedway faster after crashes this season, the new owners are trying to get an average of 5,000 hungry and thirsty fans back in their seats faster.
    Denver Post, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • 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, 2 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Sprinkle dill over your food after cooking, as heat destroys its flavor.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Cody Rhodes destroys ‘outside forces’ in scathing promo Cody Rhodes’ promos in the midst of Pat McAfee’s insertion into his WrestleMania feud with Randy Orton blurred the line on what was real and what was kayfabe.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Others may notice only occasional accidents but structure their day around preventing them.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 May 2026
  • Fire safety experts agree that improper grill placement is one of the leading causes of preventable home fires and outdoor accidents.
    Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Whale biologists generally hold that a whale that repeatedly strands itself usually has severe underlying health issues; even towing it back out to deeper waters may not keep it from starving or drowning.
    Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
  • Heart of the Beast centers on a former Army Special Forces soldier (Pitt), who fights for survival with his combat dog after a plane crash strands them in the Alaskan wilderness.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrecks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrecks. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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