Synonyms of wrench

wrench 1 of 2

noun

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

• twist
• twisting
• tug
• wrenching
• pull
• wresting
• yank
• wringing
• extraction
• displacement
• dislocation
• draft
• draw

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

• tug
• pull
• yank
• jerk
• haul
• draw
• grab
• tow
• pluck
• hitch
• drag
• snatch
• twitch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• push
• thrust
• heave
• shove

wrench

2 of 2

verb

ˈrench 

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

• pull
• tug
• yank
• twist
• pry
• pluck
• jerk
• remove
• wring
• wrest
• extract
• lug
• lever
• dredge (up)
• draw
• tweak
• shift
• budge
• jimmy
• displace
• dislocate
• disturb
• transpose
• transfer

2

as in to damage

to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure

wrenched her shoulder by all of that heavy lifting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pull
• damage
• strain
• hurt
• stretch
• bruise
• rack
• weaken
• tax
• tear
• wound
• fray
• impair
• harm
• batter
• cripple
• mangle
• mutilate
• lame

3

as in to yank

to separate or remove by forceful pulling

wrenched the post out of the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

• yank
• tear
• grab
• rip
• pull
• snatch
• pry
• wrest
• cut (off)
• extract
• seize
• snap (up)
• force
• sever
• jerk
• amputate
• uproot
• prize
• nab
• lop (off)
• nip
• dissever
• root (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reattach

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wrench

Noun

Yes, the final wheel lug tightening should be done with a torque wrench. — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

Longer investigations may give businesses more time to prepare, but many businesses will still be left wondering what countries or products Trump will target next, throwing a wrench into their long-term planning. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 17 July 2026

Verb

Ever since cars were introduced, drivers and shade-tree mechanics have been tinkering, wrenching and buying add-ons to improve their vehicles’ capabilities. — Matt Degen, AJC.com, 31 July 2026

Of course, that's why watching him not just try a backflip but wrench his knee while going down had some Giants fans worried. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026