wrecking
noun
[ ˈrɛkɪŋ ]
• the action of causing the destruction of a ship in order to steal the cargo.
• "the locals reverted to the age-old practice of wrecking"
• the activity or business of breaking up badly damaged vehicles or demolishing old buildings to obtain usable spares or scrap.
• "his main business was wrecking and removal"
wreck
verb
• destroy or severely damage (a structure, vehicle, or similar).
• "the blast wrecked 100 houses"
Similar:
demolish,
crash,
smash,
smash up,
ruin,
damage,
damage beyond repair,
destroy,
break up,
dismantle,
vandalize,
deface,
desecrate,
sabotage,
leave in ruins,
write off,
prang,
trash,
total,
• cause the destruction of (a ship) by sinking or breaking up.
• "he was drowned when his ship was wrecked"
• engage in breaking up (badly damaged vehicles) or demolishing (old buildings) to obtain usable spares or scrap.
• "police began handing out warnings to people wrecking cars without a license"
Origin:
Middle English (as a legal term denoting wreckage washed ashore): from Anglo-Norman French wrec, from the base of Old Norse reka ‘to drive’; related to wreak.
