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“Racking” or “Wracking”

racking / wracking are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

racking r·AE·k·ih·ng

  • verbstretch to the limits.
  • verbput on a rack and pinion.
  • verbfly in high wind.
  • verbdraw off from the lees.
  • verbwork on a rack.
  • verbseize together, as of parallel ropes of a tackle in order to prevent running through the block.
  • verbtorture on the rack.
  • adjectivecausing great physical or mental suffering.

wracking r·AE·k·ih·ng

No dictionary entry for this spelling — see the usage examples below for how it shows up in writing.

Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“racking”

  • …playmaking element as a sophomore, racking up 106 tackles and five…
  • "Racking Up" - Colette Carr
  • …oil; this is known as racking.

“wracking”

  • She said: "It was nerve wracking asking people for help.

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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