Entry Word: wrest

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to draw out by force or with effort <wrested a promise from them after days of pleading> — see extract 1
2 to get (as money) by the use of force or threats <vowed that the bully had wrested his lunch money from him for the last time> — see extort
3 to get with great difficulty <farmers who were used to wresting a living from a harsh land> — see eke out
4 to move by or as if by a forceful rotation <I need a strong arm to wrest the lid off this pickle jar> — see wrench 1
5 to separate or remove by forceful pulling <wrested open the stuck door of the cabinet> — see tear 2