wrecker

American  

[rek-er] / ˈrɛk ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that wrecks.

2. a person, car, or train employed in removing wreckage, debris, etc., as from railroad tracks.

3. Also called tow car, tow truck.  a vehicle equipped with a mechanical apparatus for hoisting and pulling, used to tow wrecked, disabled, or stalled automobiles.

4. Also called housewrecker.  a person whose business it is to demolish and remove houses or other buildings, as in clearing sites for other use.

5. a person or vessel employed in recovering salvage from wrecked or disabled vessels.

6. a person who plunders wrecks, especially after exhibiting false signals in order to cause shipwrecks.

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wrecker British  

/ ˈrɛkə /

noun

1. a person or thing that ruins or destroys

2. a person whose job is to demolish buildings or dismantle cars

3. (formerly) a person who lures ships to destruction to plunder the wreckage

4. another word for tow truck

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Etymology

Origin of wrecker

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

Example Sentences

“Maxx remains on track to return during the offseason program and will undoubtedly return as the dominant game wrecker he has been these past seven seasons,” Crosby’s agent, CJ LaBoy, wrote on X.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

The wrong approach shot could be a card wrecker and potentially provide pivotal drama at the death.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2023

The tow truck, described as a roll-back wrecker, was parked in the left lane with its emergency lights activated, the accident report said.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2023

Says Davis: "He’s a game wrecker, watching his film and just seeing him. He’s explosive. He’s definitely one of those guys you have to make sure to keep contained."

From Fox News • Nov. 30, 2021

Eliu squatted with a fresh beer, gazing down the hillside at the Body Shop and Pipe Queen buildings; the wrecker parked in front gleamed like a magical apparatus.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

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