wrench

verb

\ ˈrench

wrenched; wrenching; wrenches

Definition of wrench

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to move with a violent twist also : to undergo twisting

2 : to pull or strain at something with violent twisting

transitive verb

1 : to twist violently

2 : to injure or disable by a violent twisting or straining wrenched her back

3 : change especially : distort, pervert

4a : to pull or tighten by violent twisting or with violence

b : to snatch forcibly : wrest

5 : to cause to suffer mental anguish : rack entry 2

wrench

noun

Definition of wrench (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a violent twisting or a pull with or as if with twisting

b : a sharp twist or sudden jerk straining muscles or ligaments also : the resultant injury (as of a joint)

c : a distorting or perverting alteration

d : acute emotional distress : sudden violent mental change

2 : a hand or power tool for holding, twisting, or turning an object (such as a bolt or nut)

3 : monkey wrench sense 2

Other Words from wrench Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about wrench

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for wrench

Synonyms: Verb

twist, wrest, wring

Synonyms: Noun

twist, twisting, wrenching, wresting, wringing

Examples of wrench in a Sentence

Verb

I tried to wrench free from his grip. I tried to wrench myself free from his grip. He wrenched his back when he tried to lift a heavy box. She wrenched the toy from his grasp. The statue was wrenched from its pedestal.

Noun

It was a wrench to say goodbye to all my friends. with a sharp wrench of the hammer I pulled the nail from the board

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Last Sunday's episode of Game Of Thrones was full of controversial and gut-wrenching scenes that elicited some pretty strong responses from viewers. — Glamour, "This Is What Jaime Said Off-Screen That Made Brienne Cry on Game of Thrones," 9 May 2019 Whether or not you've been directly affected by gun violence, everyone should take the time to read this gut-wrenching profile New York Magazine published on school shooting survivors from the last 72 years. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Gun Control Measures in the Midterms: How You Can Make a Difference With Your Vote," 30 Oct. 2018 Reed had 20 points to lead Clemson, which was coming off two gut-wrenching, one point defeats at Miami (65-64) and at Louisville (56-55) before this. — Pete Iacobelli, The Seattle Times, "Kabengele leads No. 16 Florida State to 77-64 win at Clemson," 19 Feb. 2019 The iconic crescendo three minutes in is a staggering and gut-wrenching hymnal of everlasting love. — Natalie Maher, Harper's BAZAAR, "15 Love Songs That Will Sweep You Off Your Feet the Moment You Press Play," 9 Jan. 2019 The record blends joyful, dance-y pop with wrenching indie ballads, displaying a newfound maturity in the now-24-year-old Nesbitt's songwriting. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Nina Nesbitt Opens Up About Being Dropped from Her Label at 20—And How It Helped Her Find Her Real Voice," 1 Feb. 2019 The five Eagle High School students have filmed hours of heart-wrenching video about critical end-of-life issues and boiled it down to a 10-minute documentary that will premiere at the Sun Valley Film Festival on Saturday. — Maria L. La Ganga, idahostatesman, "You learn you’re dying soon. What to do? A film by Eagle teens, in Sun Valley festival | Idaho Statesman," 14 Mar. 2018 So the identity of what caused Ceres to be wrenched over is still a matter of speculation. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Ceres might have tilted over onto its side," 9 Oct. 2018 That’s the sort of soul-wrenching conflict that memorable movies are made of. — Barbara Vandenburgh, azcentral, "Jon Hamm a dark force in dense geopolitical thriller 'Beirut'," 11 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The best way to tighten fasteners is with a device called a torque wrench. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "How to Use a Torque Wrench to Keep Your Car from Flying Apart," 26 Feb. 2019 Use your favorite search engine to look for torque wrench calibration. — Bob Weber, Philly.com, "Drive belts don't just fall off in the rain," 7 July 2018 Use your favorite search engine (Google?) to look for torque wrench calibration. — Bob Weber, chicagotribune.com, "Drive belts don't just fall off in the rain," 24 June 2018 There's a new theory floating around suggesting the Night King isn't going to Winterfell at all, but to King's Landing—which throws a wrench in literally all the Starks' plans. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "This Game of Thrones Theory Suggests the Night King Isn't Going to Winterfell at All," 22 Apr. 2019 Then the wrench is turned the specified additional rotation. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "How to Use a Torque Wrench to Keep Your Car from Flying Apart," 26 Feb. 2019 Business has dropped because the watermen stopped coming in for sandwiches, slices of hummingbird cake, the odd wrench or crabbing boots. — Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, "Many Maryland watermen deny the crab crisis is Trump’s fault. Except it is.," 7 May 2018 Among the items taken were a lug wrench and lug nut key, car jack, first-aid kit and a backpack containing survival gear. — Sara Cardine, latimes.com, "Crime Report: Rash of thefts from vehicles continues in La Cañada," 18 Apr. 2018 Recently, when driving over bumps at slow speeds, three warning symbols always light up: ABS, skidding and wrench. — Bob Weber, chicagotribune.com, "Burning smell is most likely from oil leak," 16 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wrench.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.