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
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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
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Recent Examples of wrench
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
But the dying throws a wrench into it.
—David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 19 May 2026
Rousey quickly moved into position and applied her famous finishing move, wrenching Carano's arm as the fight was stopped.
—CBS News, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Noun
To avoid damage, cover it with a microfiber cloth and use a wrench to grip around it.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
But the dying throws a wrench into it.
—David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
Verb
Directed by Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu, the heart-wrenching family drama stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve as the parents of a Romanian family with strict religious beliefs who move to a small village in Norway.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 19 May 2026
Rousey quickly moved into position and applied her famous finishing move, wrenching Carano's arm as the fight was stopped.
—CBS News, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
-
The menu is full of twists-on-classics such as the Clean Dirty Martini, served with a frozen cube of olive juice, and the Ritz Pimms with, of course, many secret ingredients in addition to ginger ale, Champagne, and garnishes of fruit, cucumber, fresh mint and griottine cherries.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Under creative director Chemena Kamali, the brand has embraced its bohemian roots with a subversive twist, mixing sheer billowing silhouettes with unexpected footwear.—
Diana Tsui,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Output and downtime tug hard as the intuitive Moon activates your 6th House of Work and Health, opposing fiery Mars in your 12th House of Solitude.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
-
Your 2nd House of Resources faces a tug as temperamental Moon opposes aching Chiron in your 8th House of Intimacy and Resources, asking for careful boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
-
In Istanbul, a corn vendor is pulling bigger crowds than some of the city’s monuments.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Since early May, companies that used the dry milk powder in their food products have been yanking those products on the concern they might be contaminated with salmonella.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Manny Machado got the Padres back on top by yanking a home run down the left field line and off the foul pole in the fourth while King proceeded to mow down the Nationals with rare efficiency.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
His profession is to be the screaming jerk on reality shows, and his house burns down.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
-
These measurements enabled scientists to identify sudden changes linked to the Pacific reversal and a geomagnetic disturbance known as the 2017 geomagnetic jerk.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
The Canes have absolutely torn through the Eastern Conference en route to their third Cup Final appearance in franchise history.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
Shooting in Los Angeles under a California tax credit this month, Little One watches as a sudden change in a child’s behavior threatens to tear a picture-perfect family apart.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Iyer called the case heart-wrenching.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
-
This can feel challenging and heart-wrenching.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Stop here for suggestions on the best nearby dog-friendly parks for your pup, to pick up breakfast vouchers, and to grab a list of participating local businesses that offer discounts to Hotel Lucia guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Rollins sneakily grabbed the title and put it near his abdomen.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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