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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 wreck
Alan Bradley, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The raid left the building a wreck.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
Centuries ago, a fleet of Spanish ships laden with gold, silver and jewels taken from the New World was sailing back to Spain when a hurricane wrecked the flotilla on July 31, 1715, spilling the treasures into the sea, according to the 1715 Fleet Society.
—Kate Payne, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wreck
Noun
Your job is to break up the wrecks of massive ships and space hulks, carving them apart to release valuable components which can be reused or recycled at huge profits by your despicable space overlords.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The raid left the building a wreck.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Brian Schottenheimer battles through injuries Heading into the game against the Jets, Schottenheimer’s offensive line was wrecked by injury.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
Centuries ago, a fleet of Spanish ships laden with gold, silver and jewels taken from the New World was sailing back to Spain when a hurricane wrecked the flotilla on July 31, 1715, spilling the treasures into the sea, according to the 1715 Fleet Society.
—Kate Payne, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreck
Noun
-
Two broken palm trees rested on the wreckage.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Two people were pulled from the helicopter wreckage and three others on the ground were hurt, a city of Huntington Beach spokesperson said in a statement.—
Alyssa Pone,
ABC News,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The coaches also decided King’s wrecking-ball approach was effective.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The addresses listed in the wrecking permits border the east of the truck plant where Ford makes its iconic Super Duty trucks, Expedition SUVs and luxury Lincoln Navigators.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This is a novel and compelling scenario and offers a refreshing alternative to collisions from interplanetary interlopers explaining the destruction of a former Saturnian moon.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
-
As the number of satellites in orbit grows, particularly from mega-constellations, the risk of collisions and debris fallout is increasing.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Unless something bold happened, and happened fast, an anti-Milei wave appeared to be building that would scuttle his free-market reforms.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The squeals, heavy breathing, and tail thrashing of the headline attraction, the ominous pitter-patter of a chestburster scuttling across the floor, and the characteristic crunch of a chestburster smashing through an unfortunate ribcage are all integral to the extra-terrestrial horror.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Back in January, Preston remembered filming My Best Friend’s Wedding — and how an iconic scene ruined crab and lobster for her.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Packages of flying tortillas thrown at the wrong time, or pocket knives, would only hurt a reputation that Texas Tech has worked doggedly to change and show that the Red Raiders are at home on a national stage, and not the crazy drunk uncle ruining a holiday.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The carcass was gone, the grass and weeds were licked clean of blood, and the knife was buried under debris.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Unlike Starlink’s self-burning design, uncontrolled debris from defunct satellites and rocket stages could survive atmospheric reentry and land on Earth.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Crash reported on eastbound I-70 A crash has been reported on I-70 between US-40/31st Street/Exit 7 and Manchester Trafficway/Exit 7.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Reese’s fans should go straight for the Peanut Butter Cup flavor, which scratches that candy bar itch without the sugar crash.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The four tried to sail across the sea but were shipwrecked in Spain, where all four of them survived and went on to their next adventure in Not Mexico together.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Two married sea-explorers are stranded, Gilligan-style, after a storm shipwrecks their craft.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreck. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share