wrack

verb

Definition of wracknext
as in to ruin
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 wrack As sub-freezing temps wrack the concrete jungle, some of the hottest looks seen at the Paris and Milan shows are expected to re-emerge for the city's first major fashion event of 2025. — Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025 Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is wracking up lawsuits, and the latest is from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). — Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 12 Feb. 2025 In the 19th century, back-to-back-to-back cholera pandemics wracked the globe. — Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025 Violent clashes between Congolese armed forced and various militias have wracked the country for decades, displacing millions of people, including Peter’s parents. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrack
  1. ruin
  2. destroy
  3. wreck
  4. devastate
  5. shatter
  6. demolish
  7. smash
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    — Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Curtis left her job as a deputy in August 2023 and sued the county soon after, claiming in court documents that Anderson’s harassment ruined her reputation and career with the county.
    — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • Af Klint edited her own notebooks later in life, rewriting or destroying entire passages and exorcising biographical details.
    — Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Helicopters dumped water over a burning forest in South Korea Thursday as fire crews struggled to contain the country's worst-ever wildfires, which have killed 28 people, forced at least 37,800 to flee their homes and destroyed thousands of structures and vehicles.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Part of the franchise’s challenge is to incorporate Leonard without wrecking team chemistry.
    — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
  • At least 6 people were killed in the storms in multiple states as destructive winds wrecked cars, tore down powerlines and sent people scrambling.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of wreck
Verb
  • This decision devastated Ajax, whose honor and ego were deeply wounded.
    — Antonis Kocheilas, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • When Hurricane Milton ripped through Tampa Bay on October 9, less than two weeks had passed since Hurricane Helene struck the same area, and the region was devastated.
    — Chad Jennings, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • Over the past year, women’s sports have shattered viewership records.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Israeli military’s response resumed last month, shattering a ceasefire.
    — Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • The house was demolished a few years ago, so those films have now become a kind of archival image of the family.
    — David Opie, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Protests against Hamas come amid a deep humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where most infrastructure including medical facilities has been demolished.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of demolish
Verb
  • Michael Conforto helped double the lead in the third, smashing an RBI double off the wall two at-bats before Tommy Edman lifted a near-grand slam to the warning track in center for a sacrifice fly.
    — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The truck's windshield was smashed and debris, including shattered glass, was strewn across the street.
    — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of smash

Browse Nearby Words

wowsers
wrack
wracked
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Cite this Entry

“Wrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrack. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

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