WRECKAGE Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

wreckage

noun

ˈre-kij

Definition of wreckage

as in devastation

the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless the wreckage of those ancient statues represents a great loss to the art world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rubble

the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed the wreckage of the cathedral was kept as a memorial and as a reminder of war's terrible cost

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in wrecking

the destruction or loss of a ship debris floated ashore for weeks after the wreckage

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 wreckage 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 Aircraft maintenance workers in a boom lift cut away debris hanging from the wreckage of an Air Canada Express jet on March 24. — Tim McNicholas, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 For decades, activists and Myers’ legal team have dug through the wreckage of his case. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 The wreckage of the Piper 30A was hoisted from the water on Sunday morning. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wreckage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreckage

Noun

For France, long accustomed to wildfires along arid stretches of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, the devastation in Le Porge has yielded rare consensus that its fire safety system is not up to fighting mega-fires brought on by climate change.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Hunter said it’s been sad to see photos of the devastation wrought by the fire.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of devastation

Noun

This seven-year-old girl pulled from the rubble after rescue workers heard her cries.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Other than that, he’s never seemed confident that the future will turn out all right, although he’s kept on working out his worries onscreen, forever hunting for flakes of hope in the rubble.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rubble

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

While crews were at the scene, a separate crash occurred on the eastbound side of the highway when a driver slowed down to look at the wreck, according to Peck.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
The wreck will also serve as a casual amphitheater for performances and watching the sunset.

— Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of wreck

Noun

Although not a direct hit, Lala dumped nearly 3 feet of rain on the Big Island, bringing widespread havoc.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
In the movie, a group of teens accidentally release a bunch of monsters from Stine’s book collection, creating complete havoc and plenty of great family-friendly frights.

— Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of havoc

Noun

More than 11 million Jordanians live between the Jordan River, the Red Sea and eastern deserts strewn with ruins.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Surrounding Ain Ebel are the ruins of towns and villages hit by relentless Israeli bombardment, bulldozing and controlled demolitions.

— Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruins

Browse Nearby Words

wreck

wreckage

wreckages

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wreckage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreckage. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of wreckage

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes