wrest

verb

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\ ˈrest

wrested; wresting; wrests

Definition of wrest

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to pull, force, or move by violent wringing or twisting movements

2 : to gain with difficulty by or as if by force, violence, or determined labor

wrest

noun

Definition of wrest (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the action of wresting : wrench

2 archaic : a key or wrench used for turning pins in a stringed instrument (such as a piano)

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About wrest

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Examples of wrest in a Sentence

Verb He tried to wrest control of the company from his uncle. the boy wrested the book out of his sister's hands

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Hamid Karzai to wrest control of the country from the Taliban, which had sheltered al Qaeda terrorists who attacked the US on September 11, 2001. — Richard Galant, CNN, 22 Aug. 2021 The incident comes as Republicans are trying to wrest back control of Richmond politics, where the Democrats currently hold majorities in the state Legislature as well as control of the governor’s office. — Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 25 July 2021 Federer, the leader in men’s Grand Slam singles titles with 16, trying to wrest another one from his rivals to quiet those ready to write his career epitaph at the advanced age of 30, was the overwhelming crowd favorite. — Ben Rothenberg, New York Times, 28 June 2021 But Newsom and his team have framed the recall as an effort by supporters of former President Donald Trump and right-wing extremists to wrest control of the government from progressives. — Paul Leblanc And Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 12 July 2021 But Newsom and his team have framed the recall as an effort by supporters of former President Donald Trump and right-wing extremists to wrest control of the government from progressives. — Paul Leblanc And Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 12 July 2021 The outlet spent much of last year defending itself from the Trump administration’s concerted effort to wrest control of America’s international news broadcasters. — Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic, 15 June 2021 There was also a clear sense that the President was banking political capital after promising to wrest control of the pandemic after former President Donald Trump's neglect. — Stephen Collinson, CNN, 5 July 2021 Those internal battles may now intensify as Zuma supporters work to wrest control of the party from Mr. Ramaphosa, Mr. Gumede said. — New York Times, 29 June 2021

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

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Dictionary Entries Near wrest

wren warbler

wrest

wrest block

Statistics for wrest

Last Updated

28 Aug 2021

Cite this Entry

“Wrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrest. Accessed 16 Sep. 2021.

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More Definitions for wrest

wrest

verb

English Language Learners Definition of wrest

: to pull (something) away from someone by using violent twisting movements

: to take (something) from someone with much effort

See the full definition for wrest in the English Language Learners Dictionary

wrest

verb

\ ˈrest

wrested; wresting

Kids Definition of wrest

1 : to pull away by twisting or wringing I had to wrest my shoe from the dog's mouth.

2 : to obtain only by great and steady effort "For this is the day we are to conquer His Majesty the Scarecrow, and wrest from him the throne."— L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz