wreck 1 of 2

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 shipwreck
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
The wreck and large police presence blocked Broadway for a time between Fifth and Sixth streets. Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 18 Jan. 2025 All lanes of eastbound Loop 820 at Beach Street were closed to traffic on Thursday morning as authorities investigated a wreck. Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
Zachary Basu, Marc Caputo Feb 3, 2025 - Politics & Policy Musk's wrecking ball pierces government's inner sanctum Elon Musk and his cost-slashing allies are taking a hammer to the massive bureaucracy that staffs the U.S. government — and a scalpel to any senior officials who dare put up a fight. Sam Sabin, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025 The pair of beloved stars play undercover tennis phenoms who only use their gifts for good: absolutely wrecking actual professional athletes (Sabrina Ionescu, Randy Moss, and Ryan Crouser) to get their coolers of ULTRAs. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for wreck 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreck
Noun
  • The analysis comes about a week after the NTSB, along with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, lifted much of the Black Hawk and other large portions of wreckage from the river.
    Pete Muntean, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The Coast Guard deployed two vessels to safeguard the Growler wreckage in the San Diego Harbor, Sappey said.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The collision caused the bus — which had traveled out of Progreso, about 58 miles northeast of Guatemala City — to fall 115 feet into a sewage-polluted stream, The Independent reported.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The Scottsdale collision comes after three major U.S. aviation disasters in the past two weeks.
    Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Many residents live in houses meant to float on the water; the drought has left them effectively shipwrecked.
    Alex Cuadros, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Unlike Daniel Defoe’s hero, who was shipwrecked and fervently hoped to be rescued, Mr. Morandi chose his life of solitude.
    Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Ancient people weren't about to let these pests ruin their crops or their lives.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The film ends with Ross going full Red Hulk in the White House Rose Garden (oops), nearly ruining his legacy (Sterns’ real prize) and ultimately forcing him to admit his wrongdoing, give up his office, and head to The Raft to serve an undetermined amount of time in the floating prison.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • And remember: never touch nests that contain baby birds or eggs. To remove an old nest, wear sturdy gloves and a face mask, gather up the nest and any leftover debris, and throw it in your trash can.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Rubber toe caps are an integral part of the safety features of these shoes, while ultra-durable heel collars also promise to keep your feet in place while keeping debris out.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The cause of the Medevac crash is not yet known, but the cockpit voice recorder was recovered and sent to the NTSB for investigation.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Newsweek has reached out to the Federal Aviation Authority seeking further information and comment about the crash.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Hans Nichols Feb 5, 2025 - Business Twin deadlines crash down on Mike Johnson Two deadlines are threatening to scuttle Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) precious plan for one, big budget bill.
    Marc Caputo, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The better, more-daring version of Get Hard would scuttle political correctness, gay panic, and outmoded ideas about what constitutes masculinity.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In addition to Meester and Brody, Cameron Mathison, Anna Faris, Ricki Lake, Cary Elwes and Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag were among the stars who confirmed that their homes were also destroyed.
    Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
  • The storm destroyed every structure on the island, wiping out the concert stage, tiki bar, giant slide and food truck.
    Gabrielle Calise Tampa Bay Times (TNS), arkansasonline.com, 8 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near wreck

Cite this Entry

“Wreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreck. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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