wrecked

Thân thiện

A single wrecked car sits abandoned in a junkyard.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Damaged or destroyed, typically in an accident or violent event: Refers to something that has been severely damaged to the point of being unusable or beyond repair, often as a result of a crash, collision, or disaster. 2. Ruined or broken down: Can describe something that is in a state of complete disrepair or collapse, not necessarily from an accident. 3. (Informal) Extremely tired or intoxicated: In casual use, describes a person who is exhausted or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Usage and Examples

• Describing vehicles or objects destroyed in accidents:
  • The storm left a trail of wrecked boats along the coast.
  • After the collision, the wrecked car was towed to the junkyard.
• Describing something ruined or in disrepair:
  • They explored the wrecked remains of the old castle.
  • The project was wrecked by poor planning and lack of funds.
• (Informal) Describing a person's state:
  • After working three night shifts in a row, I feel completely wrecked.
  • He was wrecked after the party and couldn't drive home.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to be wrecked": This common phrasing emphasizes the resultant state.
  • The old barn was wrecked in the tornado.
• Emotional or metaphorical ruin: While often physical, it can describe non-physical destruction.
  • The scandal wrecked his political career. (Here, "wrecked" is the past tense of the verb 'to wreck'. The adjective form describing the career would be "a wrecked career").

Variants and Related Words

• Wreck (noun): The destroyed object itself or the act of destruction.
  • The divers examined the wreck of the plane.
• Wreck (verb): To cause the destruction.
  • The earthquake wrecked the city.
• Wrecker (noun): A person or vehicle that demolishes or tows away wrecks.
• Shipwrecked (adj): Specifically describing a ship destroyed or sunk at sea, or a person stranded because of this.

Synonyms

• Destroyed: Completely ruined.
• Demolished: Torn down or smashed.
• Ruined: Brought to a state of ruin.
• Shattered: Broken into many pieces.
• (Informal) Exhausted / Worn out: For the informal meaning related to tiredness.

Antonyms

• Intact: Undamaged and whole.
• Functional: In working order.
• Repaired: Fixed after damage.
• (Informal) Rested / Sober: For the informal meaning.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Wrecking ball: A heavy ball used for demolition, often used metaphorically.
  • The new policy was a wrecking ball to the company's morale.
• Train wreck: A disastrous situation, or a person whose life is a mess (informal).
  • The product launch was a complete train wreck.
• To be a nervous wreck: To be extremely anxious or stressed.
  • Waiting for the exam results, she was a nervous wreck.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. destroyed in an accident
   • a wrecked ship
   • a highway full of wrecked cars