Definition of wrench
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
4a : to pull or tighten by violent twisting or with violenceb : to snatch forcibly : wrest
5 : to cause to suffer mental anguish : rack
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Examples of wrench in a Sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of wrench
Middle English, from Old English wrencan; akin to Old High German renken to twist and perhaps to Latin vergere to bend, incline
First Known Use: before 12th century
wrench
Definition of wrench
1a : a violent twisting or a pull with or as if with twistingb : a sharp twist or sudden jerk straining muscles or ligaments; also : the resultant injury (as of a joint)c : a distorting or perverting alterationd : 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 2
Examples of wrench in a Sentence
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
1530
First Known Use of wrench
1530
WRENCH Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of wrench for English Language Learners
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: to twist and pull with a sudden violent motion
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: to injure (a part of your body) by making a violent twisting motion
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: to take (something) by using force
wrench
Definition of wrench for English Language Learners
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: a tool consisting of a handle with one end designed to hold, twist, or turn an object (such as a bolt or nut)
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: a violent twisting or pulling movement
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: something unpleasant that happens and that causes you to feel emotional pain
WRENCH Defined for Kids
Definition of wrench for Students
wrenched
;wrenching
1 : to pull or twist with sudden sharp force He wrenched a branch from the tree.
2 : to injure by a sudden sharp twisting or straining I wrenched my knee.
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of wrench
: to injure or disable by a violent twisting or straining slipped and wrenched her back
wrench
Medical Definition of wrench
: a sharp twist or sudden jerk straining muscles or ligaments; also : the resultant injury (as of a joint)
Learn More about wrench
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See words that rhyme with wrench Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wrench Spanish Central: Translation of wrench Nglish: Translation of wrench for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wrench for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wrench
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