Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person or company whose business is demolishing old houses or buildings: A "housewrecker" is someone who professionally tears down structures, typically to clear land or salvage materials.
   • A person who destroys a home, especially figuratively: In a more figurative sense, it can refer to someone whose actions cause the breakup or destruction of a family home or domestic life.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The city hired a housewrecker to demolish the abandoned building.
  • After the scandal, she was labeled a housewrecker for breaking up their marriage.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Legal Context: In some regions, like England, the term "housebreaker" is used synonymously for the demolition profession, though "housebreaker" more commonly refers to a burglar in modern usage.
  • In the old records, the profession was listed as "housebreaker," meaning what we would now call a housewrecker.

Variants and Related Words

• Housewrecking (n): The act or business of demolishing houses.
  • Housewrecking is a dangerous but necessary job.
• Wrecker (n): A more general term for a person or machine that demolishes something or causes destruction.
• Demolition contractor (n): A more modern and formal term for a person or company in the demolition business.

Synonyms

• Demolition expert
• Demolisher
• Destroyer (especially in the figurative sense)

Notes on Meaning

• The term has two distinct meanings:
  • Literal/Professional: A person in the business of physical demolition.
  • Figurative/Pejorative: A person who ruins a home or family unit, often used in the context of infidelity. This usage is emotionally charged and derogatory.
• It is important to distinguish this word from "homewrecker," which is almost exclusively used in the figurative, pejorative sense. "Housewrecker" can be used in both contexts, but the professional meaning is more literal.

Noun

1. a wrecker of houses
   • in England a housewrecker is called a housebreaker