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

Otherwise, the familial wreckage Leonard caused is unconscionable, but sadly not that uncommon — and also not that impactful with the gentle acoustic-guitar score continually making apologies on his behalf. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

But he's left a trail of wreckage along the the way. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024

The wreckage now rests on its right side some 50 meters (164 feet) below sea level, meaning the tip of the mast will stick out above the surface some 22 meters (72 feet) once the yacht is upright on the seabed and before it is lifted out of the water. —Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024

Hand-out/Deep Sea Vision/PRNewsfoto/Deep Sea Vision The potential discovery of the underwater wreckage would suggest that Earhart's plane ran out of fuel and sank into the water, one of several enduring theories about her disappearance. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 25 Nov. 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