wreck 1 of 2

Definition of wrecknext
1
as in wreckage
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed found the wreck of the ship lying on the floor of the ocean

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2
as in wrecking
the destruction or loss of a ship the wreck cost the insurance company millions of dollars

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3
as in collision
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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wreck

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to scuttle
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 to ruin
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 wreck
Noun
Police have released no details about the wreck. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 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
Verb
Roads were closed, and ballfields were wrecked because of the rain. Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026 The strike, blamed on the military, killed 70 people and wrecked Al Daein Teaching Hospital, which had served people across the province of East Darfur. Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreck
Noun
  • Iranian officials told civilians to be on the lookout for survivors ​and have flooded social media with images that purport to show wreckage from the aircraft.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The vehicle smashed through barricades and concrete, racing down a hallway before becoming lodged in the twisted wreckage.
    Gayle Pearlstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • At least, there was a lot less wrecking.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • 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
  • After the first collision, Beavers' truck continued north, rolled onto its left side, and hit the sound barrier wall on the right shoulder.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Although embedded in spectacle culture, these events occasionally presented the possibility of truly poetic clashes between languages and artistic traditions—what Glissant calls an éclat, collisions that create sparks of novelty.
    Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In California, the window is seven days after the election, a law that could be scuttled by the court’s decision.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Fireflies danced around us in the night, and chunky redheaded agama lizards scuttled along the walls.
    Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Accused of ruining baseball with their big-spending ways the past two years, the noise has only gotten louder as a labor showdown looms.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • One social media video taken from along a highway near the barracks showed the aftermath of the strike, with pieces of fiery debris scattered along the mountain range housing the barracks.
    Kevin Collier, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Colorado State Patrol is launching a new awareness campaign in April, highlighting common causes of crashes due to distracted driving.
    Christa Swanson, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • According to the Board of Estimates agenda, Fletcher was injured in the crash as well.
    Chevall Pryce, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This reimagining of the classic tale of the white European male shipwrecked on a desert island is brave, funny, wild and spellbinding.
    The Know, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Your host, Miranda, offers a back story to the project that involves her family of scientists being shipwrecked on an island off South America upon which many of the dinosaurs somehow survived to the present day.
    Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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