wreck 1 of 2

noun

ˈrek How to pronounce wreck (audio)
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
The first big wreck came when David Malukas went into the wall and Sting Ray Robb could do little to avoid crashing into him coming around a turn. — CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 Both his age, and the tragedy of being partially paralyzed in a 2014 car wreck, gained Cawthorn attention. — Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
Down the hall, his girlfriend examines her birth chart, lights the palo santo and wonders whether Mercury is going to wreck her Tuesday. — Ryan Zickgraf, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2026 In a May interview on The Pivot Podcast, Davis blamed his opioid abuse for wrecking his home life. — Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreck
  1. wreckage
  2. wrecking
  3. collision
  4. scuttle
  5. ruin
  6. debris
  7. crash
  8. shipwreck
Noun
  • Painstaking analysis of 319 tons of wreckage and thousands of pieces of evidence from a crime scene covering 845 square miles, along with thousands of interviews in 16 countries, eventually led investigators to two Libyan intelligence operatives.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Software, which took a beating earlier this year, has more recently staged a comeback as traders reevaluated their business outlooks, and combed through the wreckage for survivors.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of wreckage
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
Definition of wrecking
Noun
  • The collision was at least partially blamed for preventing the Reds from recording the third out and allowing the inning to continue.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The minibus taxi burst into flames and was reduced to a shell following the collision, according to local media, which published pictures of the wreckage.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of collision
Verb
  • Before that could even happen Sternberg scuttled the new ballpark deal.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In the end, Bucklo went along with the deal, which scuttled a trial that had been set for later this year.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of scuttle
Verb
  • The fight between a small Georgia community and tech giant Meta has escalated this week after four families filed a lawsuit against the company alleging a central Georgia data center project has contaminated their water and ruined their home values.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Gen, forgetting her swollen wrist, perks up at the thought of having a new person to ruin sheets with.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruin
Noun
  • Hot rubber, tire debris, or other parts can also land on dry vegetation and ignite it.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The infamous explosion covered Pompeii and Herculaneum in volcanic debris, immortalizing the final moments of the ancient Roman cities and some of their unfortunate inhabitants in stunning detail.
    — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of debris
Noun
  • Neither Woods nor the driver of the truck reported injuries from the crash.
    — Bob Harkins, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Steele previously approved an agreement in July which allowed prosecutors to review medical records related to Woods’ crash and arrest.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of crash
Verb
  • In a passage from the Book of Acts, Paul is shipwrecked while sailing for Rome.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • They are subsequently shipwrecked, with Odysseus left as the sole survivor on the shores of Calypso’s island.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of shipwreck

Phrases Containing wreck

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wreaths
wreck
wreckage
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Cite this Entry

“Wreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreck. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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