wreck 1 of 2

Definition of wrecknext
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

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2
as in wrecking
the destruction or loss of a ship the wreck cost the insurance company millions of dollars

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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

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wreck

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to scuttle
to cause irreparable damage to (a ship) by running aground or sinking many an unwary captain has wrecked his ship on the shoals that surround the island

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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

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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
Noun
In July 2022, researchers and divers from the underwater archaeology organization Sealark Exploration located and explored the wreck site on the behalf of the DPAA. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 1 May 2026 The mission, led by the French Navy and underwater archaeologists, centers on a wreck known as Camarat 4, discovered during a routine seabed survey. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Two cars were wrecked and two people suffered injuries in a crash on busy Irving Park Road in the neighborhood of the same name early Monday morning. Kris Habermehl, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026 Depending on the position, that option can wreck a salary cap. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreck
Noun
  • Prospect left a trail of wreckage exceeding anything the state’s healthcare industry had ever endured.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
  • In the Season 22 finale of the ABC medical drama, Owen survives a bridge collapse on his way to work and, true to form, springs into action to save all four members of a family who were also caught in the wreckage.
    Max Gao, Variety, 8 May 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
  • In court Friday, Kazarian said her client suffered from an undiagnosed neurological disorder and may have experienced a seizure at the time of the collision.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
  • In reality, collisions in space are extremely rare but incredibly dangerous.
    Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • That left no margin for error for a series of relievers navigating a bullpen game, which the Reds scuttled in the middle innings.
    Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 10 May 2026
  • Hilton and Bianco want to scuttle the project.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026
  • On Friday, a pitchers’ duel was ruined by a circus act of an inning, and the Cardinals beat the Padres 6-0.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
  • The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • The dot-com crash was disastrous for the company and Turner, the largest individual shareholder in the combined company.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 7 May 2026
  • Those incidents surfaced more than a year after Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy were killed in a car crash in 2023.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Unique experiences include shipwreck scuba diving in the Straits of Mackinac and checking out the sights from the stunning Castle Rock viewpoint.
    Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
  • Over Your Dead Body follows a married couple whose relationship is beyond shipwrecked.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreck. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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