wrecking

American

[rek-ing] / ˈrɛk ɪŋ /

noun

the act, work, or business of a wrecker.

adjective

employed or for use in wrecking.

a wrecking crew.

Etymology

Origin of wrecking

First recorded in 1795–1805; wreck + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They’ll be digging into why money stress is wrecking your life — and how to fix it.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

He took a roster of overlooked and undersized misfits and molded them into a wrecking machine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

The 35-year-old was a one-man wrecking ball against England at Perth Stadium, taking 7-58 to skittle them for 172.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

And the book's accusation that Prince Andrew was "entitled" echoed the title of a recent biography of Prince Andrew, by Andrew Lownie, that took another wrecking ball to his reputation.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025

Later, the city wrecking ball knocked them to the ground.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023