wrack

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

Relevance

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 Zona is on a 1-5 skid, and SF is motivated to end strong an uncharacteristically down year wracked by injuries. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025 Its faded and dusty mansions are spangled with Italian marble floors, Mudéjar ceilings, and the fanciest European furniture of the day, now wracked by termites. Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Dec. 2024 The report also outlined recommendations for healing communities wracked by the social ills wrought by the schools, for revitalizing language and cultural support, for reunifying families, for reforms in tribal community education and for steps to reduce violence in tribal communities. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2024 The resort is around 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the capital, Tbilisi, which has for weeks been wracked by protests following the decision by the increasingly autocratic government to halt talks to join the European Union. Christian Edwards, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for wrack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrack
Verb
  • Sometimes, one bad person or a few bad people can ruin things for everybody.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Baldoni countersued, accusing Lively, Reynolds and Sloane of seeking to destroy his career.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Prominent right-wing Israeli politicians called to destroy Israel's enemies in response.
    Daniel Estrin, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • With Austin Cindric and Erik Jones locked in a side-by-side battle to decide a Daytona 500 qualifying race less than 100 yards from the finish line, cars wrecked behind them and NASCAR immediately hit the caution button.
    Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
  • As with other official statements over the previous two days, Webster said the cause is still under investigation and offered no reasons why the plane could have wrecked.
    Bill Lukitsch The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS), arkansasonline.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • When wildfires devastated Los Angeles earlier this year, Bobbie provided formula for families who lost their homes.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
  • But with the ceremony taking place at the Pasadena Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, just six weeks after Los Angeles was devastated by a series of wildfires, the celebration takes on a new tenor.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • As the two vehicles collided, there was a loud boom; their windshields shattered, and the scene was engulfed in smoke.
    Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Recent events have shattered her image as a role model—a persona that has long been disputed by some of her co-stars.
    Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Crimson Tide have won their last seven games, most recently demolishing Texas 103-80 on Tuesday.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
  • While exploring the basement of a building slated to be demolished for the upcoming office tower, the scientists unearthed the remains of what once served as the foundation of a two-story building, nearly as large as an Olympic swimming pool.
    Sophia Compton, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The robber smashes various display cases and loads jewelry into his backpack before running back to the car.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Two Riverside officers have been charged after one smashed a resident’s skateboard in a viral video.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrack. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wrack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!