wreckage

noun

wreck·​age ˈre-kij 

1

: the act of wrecking : the state of being wrecked

2

a

: something that has been wrecked

b

: broken and disordered parts or material from something wrecked

Synonyms

• annihilation
• decimation
• demolishment
• demolition
• desolation
• destruction
• devastation
• extermination
• extinction
• havoc
• loss
• mincemeat
• obliteration
• ruin
• ruination
• wastage

Examples of wreckage in a Sentence

Workers sifted through the wreckage of the building, searching for bodies.

They cleared the wreckage from the track.

Recent Examples on the Web

The port disaster will be felt in the railroad's second-quarter revenue to the tune of a $25 million to $30 million a month hit until workers are able to clear the wreckage of the bridge so the port can reopen. —Josh Funk, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024

Authorities announced Monday evening the recovery of a fourth body from a construction vehicle in the underwater wreckage. —Eric Tucker, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wreckage

noun

wreck·​age ˈrek-ij 

1

a

: the act of wrecking

b

: the state of being wrecked

2

: the remains of a wreck