wrench

verb \ ˈrench \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Examples: wrench in a Sentence

Definition of wrench

wrenched; wrenching; wrenches

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

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

b : to snatch forcibly : wrest

5 : to cause to suffer mental anguish : rack

—

wrenchingly

play \ˈren-chiŋ-lē\ adverb

See wrench defined for English-language learners

See wrench defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of wrench from the Web

Las Vegas police and the FBI have refused to comment on what have now been nine weekly releases of police documents detailing wrenching accounts of pain, perseverance and luck in the attack that killed 58 people and injured hundreds more.

— ken ritter, The Seattle Times, "Records: Police guarded Vegas showroom after Oct. 1 attack," 3 July 2018
As the son of a Polish holocaust survivor, the images and sounds of this family separation policy is heart wrenching.

— monique judge, The Root, "Is Michael Cohen About to Flip on Trump?," 20 June 2018
The gut-wrenching surge in Treasury yields of 2013 fizzled out; indeed, the yield on ten-year bonds is still a shade lower than at the end of that year.

— The Economist, "Rate rises affect global markets—and may feed back to America," 14 June 2018
These tragedies and the loss that follows are just inconceivable and heart wrenching.

— alia malik, San Antonio Express-News, "S.A. school districts stress need for community help with campus safety," 18 May 2018
This story is twinned with a fabulous tale of a medieval expedition to map the Arabic world guided by the stars, creating a work that is both magical and heart-wrenching.

— monitor staff, The Christian Science Monitor, "10 best books of May: the Monitor's picks," 9 May 2018
Mitski’s moment of emotion Tears and emotions are to be expected when seeing artists with songs as personal and heart-wrenching as Mitski’s.

— efrain dorado, RedEye Chicago, "Our 10 best moments from Pitchfork Music Festival 2017," 17 July 2017
The story of migrant children wrenched from their parents at the U.S. border is one that hits people in very personal ways and has unleashed an outpouring of sympathy for their plight and a desire to get involved in finding a solution.

— mimi whitefield, miamiherald, "An outpouring of help as plight of migrant children tugs at Americans' hearts," 19 June 2018
Immigrants’ advocates offer wrenching accounts of how, exactly, federal authorities remove children from their moms and dads.

— haley sweetland edwards, Time, "Parents Are Facing a Nightmare at the U.S. Border," 14 June 2018

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.

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

wrench Synonyms

Synonyms

twist, wrest, wring;

jimmy, lever, pry;

budge, dislocate, displace, disturb, remove;

shift, transfer, transpose;

wrench

noun

Definition of wrench

1 a : 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 2

See wrench defined for English-language learners

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

Recent Examples of wrench from the Web

The female body has long been an unruly subject, and a favorite one for women writers seeking to throw a wrench into the societal machinery.

— alexandra kleeman, Vanities, "This Novel Provides an Empowering, Grotesque Alternative to Leaning In," 2 July 2018
This could potentially throw a wrench into Ontario’s plan to open 40 cannabis stores by the end of 2018.

— jennie neufeld, Vox, "Vox Sentences: Trump will “maintain family unity” by jailing children with parents," 21 June 2018
If leaks occur, carefully tighten with an adjustable wrench – making one-quarter turns at a time.

— daniel bortz, sacbee, "Four home-improvement jobs you can knock out," 15 June 2018
One possible wrench would be the weather Sunday; with rain expected, the Brewers might choose to be extra cautious and hold him out one more day.

— todd rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers getting healthier as they open series with Mets," 13 Apr. 2018
That wrench is now in the penthouse, heavy and greasy.

— nellie bowles, New York Times, "Making a Crypto Utopia in Puerto Rico," 2 Feb. 2018
But a fluke injury has thrown a wrench into the 26-year-old’s development.

— maria torres, kansascity, "'Opposite of what we drew up': Soler's fractured foot is the Royals' latest bad break," 16 June 2018
The letter from Trump's team threw a wrench into the discussions until early March, CNN reported.

— veronica stracqualursi, CNN, "NYT: Trump lawyers sent special counsel letter arguing President can't obstruct Russia probe," 2 June 2018
The 2008 winner tried to play the fuel mileage game, but a late caution threw a wrench into that strategy.

— rob peeters, Indianapolis Star, "How every driver finished in the 2018 Indy 500 field," 27 May 2018

First Known Use of wrench

1530

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

wrench Synonyms

Other Hardware Terms

adze, auger, awl, chock, ferrule, punch, tang

WRENCH Defined for English Language Learners

wrench

verb

Definition of wrench for English Language Learners

: to twist and pull with a sudden violent motion
: to injure (a part of your body) by making a violent twisting motion
: to take (something) by using force

wrench

noun

Definition of wrench for English Language Learners

: a tool consisting of a handle with one end designed to hold, twist, or turn an object (such as a bolt or nut)
: a violent twisting or pulling movement
: something unpleasant that happens and that causes you to feel emotional pain

WRENCH Defined for Kids

wrench

verb \ ˈrench \

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.

wrench

noun

Definition of wrench for Students

1 : a tool used in turning nuts or bolts

2 : a violent twist to one side or out of shape

3 : an injury caused by twisting or straining : sprain

Medical Dictionary

wrench

transitive verb \ ˈrench \

medical Definition of wrench

: to injure or disable by a violent twisting or straining

slipped and wrenched her back

wrench

noun

medical Definition of wrench

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

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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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Definition of wrench

wrenchingly

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wrench

Definition of wrench

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Recent Examples of wrench from the Web

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WRENCH Defined for English Language Learners

wrench

Definition of wrench for English Language Learners

wrench

Definition of wrench for English Language Learners

WRENCH Defined for Kids

wrench

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wrench

Definition of wrench for Students

Medical Dictionary

wrench

medical Definition of wrench

wrench

medical Definition of wrench

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