wrecking 1 of 2

as in wreck
the destruction or loss of a ship the wrecking of the freighter was one of the worst disasters ever on the Great Lakes

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wrecking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wreck
1
as in scuttling
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 destroying
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 wrecking
Verb
This prequel flashes back to a previous Christmas in Los Angeles, when their unintentional destruction of a Santa Claus parade balloon put the city on edge, wrecking the gang's plans for a massive Yuletide bank robbery. EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024 The vocalist’s sole concerns related to the natural environment, the animal kingdom and humankind’s responsibility for wrecking our only home. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2024 But when this tournament comes to an end, the Bulls either have to change course or risk wrecking their plans completely. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Nov. 2024 But his vision of wrecking Israel with the help of Iran and other proxy forces backfired badly. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024 Through four games, Gentry led the Trojans in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks as a one-man wrecking crew, capable of plugging holes or rushing off the edge. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024 The tanks from the Ukrainian army’s 17th Tank Brigade—either T-64s or T-72s—blasted the Russian APC twice, thoroughly wrecking it. David Axe, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 But lots of massive solar farms are being planned and built to replace planet-wrecking fossil fuels. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024 Part of the crane fell onto the office of the Tampa Bay Times, wrecking the newspaper's newsroom. David Brennan, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrecking
Noun
  • On or about June 6, the oil tanker Ottawa found the body of assistant steward William Thomas Kerley floating a reported 543 miles from the wreck site.
    Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The wreck happened during the eighth flight of the day.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Online records show that Lamb was charged with homicide, kidnap-false imprisonment, evidence-destroying and procure for prostitute.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But if enacted, some of the ideas proposed also risk destroying a nascent private sector and worsening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Since March 14, severe weather has left a trail of destruction, toppling trees, demolishing homes, and igniting wildfires, the Associated Press reported.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Education advocates and Democrats have condemned the move, and actually demolishing the agency would require an act of Congress.
    The Hill Staff, The Hill, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrecking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrecking. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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