1
as in twist
a forceful rotating or pulling motion for the purpose of dislodging something
with a sharp wrench of the hammer I pulled the nail from the board
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in tug
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force
with one final hard wrench I was able to pull the cork from the bottle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to pull
to move by or as if by a forceful rotation
with one last sharp yank, he wrenched the lid off the bottle of ketchup
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in to yank
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
wrenched the post out of the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wrench
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Summer is usually a slow time for us but the last few days have been unusually busy, and the softer economic data on Friday really threw a wrench into things.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 3 Sep. 2025
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
The gut-wrenching film uses voice recordings between Hind Rajab and the Red Crescent volunteers who got the emergency call and tried to keep her on the line to get an ambulance to her.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Noun
One of the most cost-effective ways to throw a wrench in the gears of the surveillance state is by piping your service through a virtual private network, and a new announcement from ExpressVPN makes professional-grade protection more affordable and flexible than ever.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Summer is usually a slow time for us but the last few days have been unusually busy, and the softer economic data on Friday really threw a wrench into things.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The film’s all-Palestinian cast — including Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury and Amer Hlehel — spoke in Venice of the emotionally wrenching mood throughout production.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
The gut-wrenching film uses voice recordings between Hind Rajab and the Red Crescent volunteers who got the emergency call and tried to keep her on the line to get an ambulance to her.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
-
The rapper’s footwear run this September has centered on black evening heels, each with its own distinct twist.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Solace went back to being an independent gruesome detective story, though with a supernatural twist.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Russian submarine was accompanied by the cruiser Varyag—identified by its hull number—and a rescue tug.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Here, fat-tire bicycles seem to outnumber cars, hours are measured in sunscreen applications and tugs on fishing lines, and island nightlife belongs to nesting sea turtles.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After a lifeless Eagles offense awoke with a third-quarter touchdown to pull within 26-14, Davis forced Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford out of bounds on a punt-forcing sack by chasing him halfway across the field.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The former will, before a collision, pull passengers back into the best position to absorb the impact of a crash by tightening the belt, while the latter — which activates milliseconds after a collision occurs — allows the seat belt to gently unspool to relieve the force on that person’s chest.—
Jackie Charniga,
Freep.com,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
An engineer recently wrapped a chain around a humanoid robot’s neck and violently yanked it.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Jessica Chastain has responded to Apple TV+’s decision to yank her new series, The Savant, which was originally due to release on Friday, September 26.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lunch is packed with all sorts of sandwiches (BLT, french dip, Reuben) and hamburgers (patty melt, Jamaican jerk, jalapeno burger) to salads, tacos and more.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Check out its jerk chicken roll filled with carrots, cabbage, onions, cheese and jerk mayo; or try the jerk chicken wings and sides of rice and peas, plantains and cabbage.—
Loán Lake,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The list of productive running backs who’ve returned from an Achilles tear — much less torn every lateral ligament in their knees multiple times — is miniscule.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The bullet tore through his neck, in front of thousands of people, including children.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
People were calling it tacky, brave, MFA garbage, heart wrenching.—
Sarah Adler
September 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Gut wrenching doesn’t begin to describe it.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On third-and-9 from the 50, Murray threw a contested pass that receiver Zay Jones couldn’t grab.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Thomas grabbed her husband’s ashes and some cash before trying to rescue her German shepherd, Storm, her companion of more than six years.—
Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share