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
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
While traditionally believed not to be a problem (unless visiting wrecks or ammo dumps), awareness is now growing that the sunken munitions could pose a serious environmental risk.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
The episode about Secret Squirrel and the perils of surveillance culture feels more relevant than ever, as does the climate-change episode in which the time-traveling Jetson family sues people of the present for wrecking their future.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wreck
Noun
Police have released no details about the wreck.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
While traditionally believed not to be a problem (unless visiting wrecks or ammo dumps), awareness is now growing that the sunken munitions could pose a serious environmental risk.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
This might drive like a dirt race, giving Reddick, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell a chance to shine as their cars are on the verge of wrecking.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
The episode about Secret Squirrel and the perils of surveillance culture feels more relevant than ever, as does the climate-change episode in which the time-traveling Jetson family sues people of the present for wrecking their future.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreck
Noun
-
The runway where two pilots died in a collision between a jet and a fire truck reopened Thursday morning at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, which had been operating at limited capacity all week as investigators examined the wreckage and work crews cleaned up debris.—
Philip Marcelo,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
SpaceX has been using the port for years to receive components for Starbase’s construction and wreckage from Starships that have crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.—
Brandon Lingle,
San Antonio Express-News,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At least, there was a lot less wrecking.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And in 2009, collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson killed nine people.—
JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Authorities later said Davide Veglia, 55, of North Miami died after the collision Wednesday night in Biscayne Bay, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In California, the window is seven days after the election, a law that could be scuttled by the court’s decision.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Fireflies danced around us in the night, and chunky redheaded agama lizards scuttled along the walls.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Accused of ruining baseball with their big-spending ways the past two years, the noise has only gotten louder as a labor showdown looms.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Piles of brick debris were also seen inside hospital rooms and along an exterior wall.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
One of the biggest headaches any launch with a hatch deals with is known as FOD, or foreign-object debris, which could be as small as a piece of hair trapped in the seal where the hatch closes.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Colorado State Patrol is launching a new awareness campaign in April, highlighting common causes of crashes due to distracted driving.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
According to the Board of Estimates agenda, Fletcher was injured in the crash as well.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This reimagining of the classic tale of the white European male shipwrecked on a desert island is brave, funny, wild and spellbinding.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Your host, Miranda, offers a back story to the project that involves her family of scientists being shipwrecked on an island off South America upon which many of the dinosaurs somehow survived to the present day.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreck. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
