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.
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Recent Examples of wrench
Claretta Bellamy, NBC news, 7 June 2025
His Mom's Pick, Causing 2 Daters' Exits The next episode that stood out was episode 6, in which the farmers and the contestants were thrown a wrench.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 23 May 2025
Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 25 Apr. 2025
Using a big spoon or an outdated scoop can wrench your wrists.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Noun
The United States’ travel ban now throws a wrench in that process.
—Claretta Bellamy, NBC news, 7 June 2025
His Mom's Pick, Causing 2 Daters' Exits The next episode that stood out was episode 6, in which the farmers and the contestants were thrown a wrench.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
Alas, Bode wrenched his knee up again, causing Vince to bench him as 42 turned around to deal with a Zabel Ridge Fire that’s on the move.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 25 Apr. 2025
Using a big spoon or an outdated scoop can wrench your wrists.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
-
Garnish with a twist of lemon peel (express lemon oil) French Martini Ingredients: 3oz The Reid Vodka 3oz Pineapple juice 3oz Raspberry Liquor or raspberry syrup Instructions: Add ingredients to shaker with ice.—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
This mocktail is pure indulgence with a playful twist.—
Essence,
Essence,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Give one of the center leaves of the pineapple a firm but gentle tug.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 June 2025
-
Ripe tomatoes should easily come off the plant with a gentle tug.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
-
The 13-minute performance will likely call for a healthy dose of vibrant, colored lighting to pull it all together.—
Kelly Allen,
House Beautiful,
10 Feb. 2023
Verb
-
The administration previously yanked, and then reinstated, visas at an array of universities for more than 4,700 students this spring.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
-
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The National Institutes of Health, which is under Kennedy's command, has stopped accepting submissions for its flagship journal on environmental health and yanked research grants.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
But in politics — as in life —there’s a fine line between being genuine and being a jerk.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Smoky, spicy jerk is also on the menu in the Pulled Jerk Pork & Coconut Shrimp appetizer at Eleanor’s at Sandals Grande Antigua.—
Sandals Resorts,
AFAR Media,
4 June 2025
Verb
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In Gabès, a coastal oasis suffocated by a chemical complex, a fishing family is torn between survival and escape.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
-
And yes, this means that even a T. rex could have been more inclined to saunter around and maybe jog, rather than tearing across the land at top speeds of 27-29 km/h (17-18 mph).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 June 2025
Verb
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In the few months since its launch, JD.com has grabbed 7.5% of China’s food-delivery market after its daily meal orders reached 20 million on May 13, according to a May 14 research note from Blue Lotus Capital Advisors.—
Yue Wang,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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In Monday night’s first quarter after falling to the court, Haliburton winced and grabbed his lower right leg.—
Shakeia Taylor,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Verb
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All-Time Anniversary Twelve years ago, Ray Allen hit The Shot On this date, back in 2013, one of the greatest shots in basketball history ripped through the net.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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Reinhart strips, dips, rips: Panthers lead, 1-0 As Brad Marchand opened the scoring in Game 5 with a fantastic individual effort, Sam Reinhart did the same for the Panthers in Game 6 with a goal that incorporated Marchand’s payoff move on his second Game 5 goal.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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