wrench 1 of 2

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

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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

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wrench

2 of 2

verb

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

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2
as in to damage
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure wrenched her shoulder by all of that heavy lifting

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3

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
Noun
Now, it should be noted that Minnesota is dealing with some injury issues heading into the season, and Addison's three-game suspension could also throw a wrench into things, as well. Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025 Acme Tools also has a 20-piece wrench set. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
His scraggly beard seems grown to be wrenched. Roy Scranton august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025 Gudsen, unmasked earlier as one of the two serial arsonists she's been hunting, unbuckles her seat belt and wrenches the wheel, sending them into a crash designed to kill her. Jp Mangalindan, Time, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
  • Lovevook Travel Duffel Bag The puffer trend has gotten a travel twist with the Lovevook Duffel Bag.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • And with a unique twist that sets them above the competition.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When the state attorney’s office steps in, the prosecution pushes back, resulting in a legal and political tug of war that thrusts Adnan’s case into chaotic uncertainty.
    Peter White, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Several noted that his instinctive tug had likely prevented the pair from colliding with the elk.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The group routinely calls for removing books at public schools and played a role in Scottsdale Unified School District's decision to pull 16 books from its library shelves in February.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The air fryer itself is easy to clean by pulling the trays out and wiping the inside with a wet cloth.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In fact, Labyrinth was yanked from some theaters less than a month after its release.
    Logan Karlie September 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
  • After deciding to take his family to a tourist town for some fun in the sun, a minor encounter with local bullies yanks the family into the crosshairs of an unhinged, blood-thirsty crime boss (Sharon Stone), who is determined to derail his relaxation.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Cianfrance supplies a real jerk of a manager in Peter Dinklage’s Mitch, on whom Jeffrey spies by setting up baby monitors in the back office.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Imagine smoky jerk chicken cooked to perfection on an open-flame at a roadside shack, beckoning you to stop by for a mouthwatering bite.
    Martie Bowser, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Before 2014, the building was abandoned and MIA wanted to tear it down.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
  • While Bruce the shark tore through limbs, there were also conspiracy thrillers, period dramas, counterculture satires, and deeply anti-authority crime flicks to rule the roost.
    Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 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
  • Video surveillance from the scene posted online by Fox 11 shows a man lingering near a doorway, quickly grabbing the gift box from a table and running out of the venue.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The owner wanted to keep the grab-and-go options previously offered in the space.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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