wreckage

noun

wreck·​age ˈre-kij 

1

: the act of wrecking : the state of being wrecked

2

a

: something that has been wrecked

b

: broken and disordered parts or material from something wrecked

Synonyms

• annihilation
• decimation
• demolishment
• demolition
• desolation
• destruction
• devastation
• extermination
• extinction
• havoc
• loss
• mincemeat
• obliteration
• ruin
• ruination
• wastage

Examples of wreckage in a Sentence

Workers sifted through the wreckage of the building, searching for bodies.

They cleared the wreckage from the track.

Recent Examples on the Web

Emergency crews responded to the scene, and the roadway remains closed as authorities investigate and clear the wreckage. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025

Video of the scene showed the wreckage of the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza plane engulfed in flames and dark smoke. —Tricia Escobedo, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025

This time, wreckage from the latest explosion was seen streaming from the skies over Florida. —Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025

There were no immediate reports Thursday of any Starship wreckage falling over populated areas. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wreckage

noun

wreck·​age ˈrek-ij 

1

a

: the act of wrecking

b

: the state of being wrecked

2

: the remains of a wreck