wreck 1 of 2

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
This was quickly criticized by some fans, as real-life drivers aren’t typically seen collapsing on the ground outside their cars following a wreck. Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025 The State Highway Patrol has released no details about the wreck. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 21 June 2025
Verb
Moscow has confounded Western expectations that severe sanctions would wreck the country’s economy and has instead enjoyed a couple of years of high growth. Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2025 The facility had been subject to sabotage and subterfuge by Israel for many years even before these attacks–including a computer virus that wrecked the centrifuges over a decade ago. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreck
Noun
  • Authorities were notified of a midair collision in an area just south of Steinbach shortly before 9 a.m. RCMP, fire crews, and emergency medical services responded to the scene and located the wreckage of two small single-engine aircraft.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 9 July 2025
  • The content may be used in future stories depicting the wreckage in central Texas as communities continue to grapple with the tragedy.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • More buggies ended up on their sides or backs, the result of collisions or bad landings in the whoops section.
    William Liang, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
  • The force of the collision pushed the Volt into a Mercedes-Benz that was also at the stop sign.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • The move initially appeared to scuttle Lee’s plan, which has drawn bipartisan backlash.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
  • Ultimately, the Rays scuttled the agreement, city officials called for Sternberg to sell, and other owners and commissioner Rob Manfred also pressured him to sell.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Olivia Lloyd July 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
  • Sophisticated travelers can savor world-class dining, from rich Hakata ramen to the most delicious gyoza, or explore modern art, castle ruins, and shops run by local artisans.
    Mark Lakin, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • The night of the fire, firework debris ignited the area of the home’s exterior rear porch, said Independence Fire Chief Jimmy Walker.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2025
  • Some will examine debris piles as they're dismantled by excavators and skid steers.
    Greg Allen, NPR, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Speed and alcohol impairment appear to be factors in the crash, police said.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • The Honda spun around clockwise and stopped near the crash site.
    Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • The 18th-century vessels were shipwrecked in 1710, and archaeologists only recently discovered that the ships – long believed to be pirate ships – were used to transport slaves.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2025
  • Historical sources had recorded that two Danish slave vessels were shipwrecked off the coast of Central America in 1710: The Fridericus Quartus was set on fire, while the anchor rope of the Christianus Quintus was cut and the ship was swept away.
    Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Experts have long assumed that the instrument had been destroyed or lost to history.
    Asia London Palomba, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
  • The fire that destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge was burning on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
    AZCentral.com, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreck. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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