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 wreck was found about 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, at a depth of approximately 13,000 feet, marking the end of a 73-year mystery since the ship sank in 1912. — USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 The city of Oakland reached a $17 million settlement this week with the family of a man killed by a speeding car fleeing two Oakland police officers, who later tried hiding their role in the unauthorized chase and the ensuring wreck. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
However, this leads to serious questions about the effects of colonization and whether humans have the right to fundamentally change another planet's atmosphere and potentially wreck it for other possible lifeforms already living there. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Zebra striping is gaining traction as more Americans look for a way to enjoy nights out without waking up wrecked. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 24 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
  • But if clouds ruin your view — or the moon is below the horizon at the time of the eclipse — there's no need to fret!
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The news of the relationship almost ruined the church, which quickly began hemorrhaging members.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruin
Noun
  • Chinese surveillance footage from the Tibetan side of the border shows a huge wall of mud and debris crashing over buildings and engulfing roads as people desperately try to flee the torrent.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
  • An ice and rock avalanche from a high-altitude glacier may have triggered the flooding, with a large volume of debris entering the Lende Khola tributary, researchers have said in a preliminary assessment.
    — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of debris
Noun
  • Paul Rees, a driving consultant who was involved in the Top Gear crash, is also suing BBC Studios for £150,000 ($200,000) over the accident.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The identities of the four people on board have not been released, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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