as in destroying
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
it's amazing how a raging sea can wrack a seemingly sturdy beachfront home
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Recent Examples of wracking
In Southern California, Hollywood Burbank and Van Nuys Airports are well known to pilots for their high volume of mixed airplane and helicopter traffic, creating a complex and nerve-wracking operating environment.
—
Marc Scribner, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
The woman who recorded the nerve-wracking trip said, at times, both of the driver's hands were off the wheel.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
One thing that's helping her ahead of the nerve-wracking weekend is her training and practice in meditation and breathwork.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Snow, ice, tight merges, and heavy traffic can turn even short journeys into slow, nerve-wracking drives.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
From stomach-churning eating challenges to nerve-wracking physical feats, the competition pushes contestants to their limits in pursuit of the coveted title.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 16 Jan. 2026
Still, the advance notice could help a tenant avoid wracking up a legal history, which can make finding another apartment difficult.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Local officials began wracking their brains for future uses for the sprawling, 53-acre site, which includes older buildings, and some that hold historic designations.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
While these weeks of celebration can sometimes lead to wracking up too many expenses, luckily, finding the perfect gift doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 17 Nov. 2025
Marc Scribner, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
The woman who recorded the nerve-wracking trip said, at times, both of the driver's hands were off the wheel.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
One thing that's helping her ahead of the nerve-wracking weekend is her training and practice in meditation and breathwork.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Snow, ice, tight merges, and heavy traffic can turn even short journeys into slow, nerve-wracking drives.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
From stomach-churning eating challenges to nerve-wracking physical feats, the competition pushes contestants to their limits in pursuit of the coveted title.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 16 Jan. 2026
Still, the advance notice could help a tenant avoid wracking up a legal history, which can make finding another apartment difficult.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Local officials began wracking their brains for future uses for the sprawling, 53-acre site, which includes older buildings, and some that hold historic designations.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
While these weeks of celebration can sometimes lead to wracking up too many expenses, luckily, finding the perfect gift doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 17 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wracking
Verb
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But when the other side is destroying it, there are worse things to be than the alternative.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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The European Union is moving forward with its ban on destroying unsold clothing, footwear and accessories.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The mist dissipates around a room instead of spewing out like a wet stream, which keeps Alpert worry-free about ruining her wooden bed frame.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
6 Feb. 2026
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In fact, for some items, a standard cold wash can be ruining.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But a drone had hit one of its salons, shattering a heating pipe and flooding the premises.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
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The new Wade is an endlessly wisecracking chatterbox, shattering the fourth wall with gleeful abandon.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
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The wrecking contractor did a superb job of clearing the area.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital was wrecked by devastating flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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While an eight-game winning run saw Cherki, Foden and Haaland hit their devastating best, three frustrating draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion were characterised by wastefulness in front of goal.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The village is demolishing homes to make way for the redevelopment and will relocate residents elsewhere on campus, Timberlake said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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The project calls for demolishing a 1949 single-family home and building a 2,500-square-foot contemporary building to be used as a Jewish ritual pool for women for spiritual purification.—
Lauren Costantino
February 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But gold prices have been extraordinary volatile, smashing through record highs before posting their biggest single-day drop on record last month.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Travon Troupe, 39, of Hayward, allegedly drove drunk through a red light at Foothill Boulevard and 68th Avenue in Oakland, smashing into a big rig that had the right of way.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jones said her journey to reach this point has been defined by overcoming adversity and a devotion to family.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
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Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wracking. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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