totally wrecked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally wrecked" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is completely damaged or destroyed, or to express extreme exhaustion or emotional distress. Example: After the storm, the beach was totally wrecked, with debris scattered everywhere. Alternative expressions include "completely ruined" and "utterly destroyed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And of course the white floors were totally wrecked".

The New York Times

She remembered Kolesnikov as looking "totally wrecked, with an unkempt beard and wild eyes".

The New Yorker

I would do the shows, get totally wrecked, get up at midday, get some lunch, do the next two shows, get totally wrecked.

The Guardian

No, no, come back: X Factor winners Little Mix haven't totally wrecked Cameo's 1986 classic.

The Guardian - Music

When I came to, I got out of the bus and saw that it was totally wrecked".

The New York Times

Research on long-term water quality in the Thames published last year shows that nitrate levels in the river have never been higher in 140 years and the flora along the River Thames most of the way to Oxford is totally wrecked.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The five family cars are all wrecked.

The New York Times

"They're all wrecked," he says.

The New Yorker

He said the airport was "completely wrecked".

BBC

"The whole village is wrecked," he said.

The Guardian

The whole house was wrecked," she explained.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally wrecked" to convey a sense of complete destruction or overwhelming impairment, whether physical, emotional, or functional.

Common error

While "totally wrecked" is acceptable in many contexts, consider more formal synonyms like "completely destroyed" or "irreparably damaged" in professional or academic writing to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally wrecked" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It intensifies the state of being wrecked, indicating a high degree of damage or destruction. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples where the phrase describes the condition of physical objects or emotional states.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "totally wrecked" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to emphasize a state of complete destruction, damage, or emotional distress. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to highlight the severity of their condition. While suitable for general communication, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. The Ludwig AI analysis confirmed that this is an acceptable phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely destroyed

Emphasizes complete annihilation or ruin, often physically.

completely ruined

Focuses on the irreparable damage or failure of something.

completely demolished

Emphasizes the act of tearing down or destroying a structure.

utterly devastated

Highlights the emotional impact of destruction, implying deep distress.

irreparably damaged

Highlights the impossibility of repair or recovery.

absolutely shattered

Suggests a state of being broken into many pieces, both literally and figuratively.

badly damaged

Implies a significant degree of harm or destruction.

hopelessly impaired

Focuses on the reduction or loss of function or ability.

seriously impaired

Highlights the reduction or loss of function or ability.

thoroughly trashed

Implies a more informal and often physical destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "totally wrecked" in a sentence?

You can use "totally wrecked" to describe something that is completely damaged or destroyed, or to express extreme exhaustion or emotional distress. For example, "After the storm, the beach was totally wrecked" or "I felt "utterly devastated" after the breakup, like I was totally wrecked".

What can I say instead of "totally wrecked"?

You can use alternatives like "completely destroyed", ""utterly devastated"", or "completely ruined" depending on the context.

Is "totally wrecked" too informal for academic writing?

In some cases, yes. While understandable, "totally wrecked" may be too informal for academic or formal writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives such as "irreparably damaged" or "completely demolished" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "totally wrecked" and "slightly damaged"?

"Totally wrecked" implies complete or near-complete destruction, while "slightly damaged" suggests only minor harm or impairment. The degree of impact is significantly different.