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
Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
On a 2009 episode of The Rachel Zoe Project, the stylist’s last-minute work obligations threw a wrench in her plans with her then-husband, Rodger Berman.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
But the Seahawks and their passionate fans will take it; this title represents Seattle's second Super Bowl triumph and exacts a measure of revenge for the heart-wrenching, last-second defeat in Super Bowl 49.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Noun
But global warming threw a wrench into this method.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
On a 2009 episode of The Rachel Zoe Project, the stylist’s last-minute work obligations threw a wrench in her plans with her then-husband, Rodger Berman.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
Kahun had a key assist in the qualifying round against Switzerland, a goal in a quarterfinal upset of Sweden, an assist in a semifinal win over Canada and a goal in a gut-wrenching overtime loss to the Russians in the gold-medal game.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
But the Seahawks and their passionate fans will take it; this title represents Seattle's second Super Bowl triumph and exacts a measure of revenge for the heart-wrenching, last-second defeat in Super Bowl 49.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
-
The verdict closes a chapter of one of South Korea’s biggest political crises, a saga that has been full of dramatic twists that have tested the country’s democratic guardrails.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The strawberry honey ice cream has a tangy twist with balsamic glaze and black pepper folded in.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the seven days leading up to the giant slalom competition, Pinheiro Braathen kept feeling a tug, as if the universe was trying to tell him something.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
This reaction only happens when a massive population feels the tug of emotion all at the same time.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Other technologies that could be phased out include waste heat recovery systems that pull heat from the car’s engine to the interior, solar reflective surface coating and high efficacy exterior lights.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
McIlroy got a four at the par-five first to pull even with the leaders, who both birdied it themselves 10 minutes later to move to 13 under.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But in late January, a cadre of federal workers yanked placards from the site’s brick walls in response to a March 2025 executive order from the White House that shunned complication.—
Adam Harris,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Last fall Kimmel was temporarily yanked off the air after ABC was threatened by FCC chairman Brendan Carr; last summer Colbert’s show was canceled, purportedly for financial reasons, right around the same time its parent company was seeking Trump’s approval for a merger.—
Joy Press,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For more untouched shores, Frenchman's Cove in Portland is just as renowned for its natural feel as for the jerk chicken stands that set up shop nearby.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
-
But the truth is that Robby being a jerk is one of the most fascinating threads of this show’s already exciting second season.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the Angevin empire threatens to tear itself apart, Rob and Marian are drawn into the orbit of kings and queens, forced to wield the very instruments of Norman power to secure a future for the Saxons.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
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As the Angevin empire threatens to tear itself apart, Rob and Marian are drawn into the orbit of kings and queens, forced to wield the very instruments of Norman power — politics, gold, and betrayal — to secure a future for the Saxons.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This can feel challenging and heart-wrenching.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Such is the case in Quiara Alegría Hudes’s wrenching and mordant debut novel, The White Hot, in which 26-year-old April Soto hits her breaking point and walks out on her 10-year-old daughter, Noelle.—
Ruth Madievsky,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Neely tried to grab Belt-Stubblefield by the neck and take him to the ground, but the officer is the one who fell, according to the notice of claim.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Melvin Trotter walked in and began rifling through the cash register, grabbing about $100 and some food stamps.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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