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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wrench
R29 Team, Refinery29, 3 Sep. 2025
These include American Tanto, sheepfoot, serrated and saw blade options, as well as unconventional choices like a comb and can opener/ruler/wrench/seatbelt cutter single-piece multitool.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
Co-starring Andrew Scott as Rodgers and Margaret Qualley as a semi-fictionalized admirer of the closeted Hart, Blue Moon promises to be a wrenching look at a complex and tortured songwriter, with stunning performances to boot.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Noun
Summer is usually a slow time for us but the last few days have been unusually busy, and the softer economic data on Friday really threw a wrench into things.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 3 Sep. 2025
These include American Tanto, sheepfoot, serrated and saw blade options, as well as unconventional choices like a comb and can opener/ruler/wrench/seatbelt cutter single-piece multitool.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
The gut-wrenching film uses voice recordings between Hind Rajab and the Red Crescent volunteers who got the emergency call and tried to keep her on the line to get an ambulance to her.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
Co-starring Andrew Scott as Rodgers and Margaret Qualley as a semi-fictionalized admirer of the closeted Hart, Blue Moon promises to be a wrenching look at a complex and tortured songwriter, with stunning performances to boot.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
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The chic, minimalist bow print gives it a preppy twist that looks great on long plane rides, road trips, and everywhere in between.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Sep. 2025
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Colin brings his Hollywood perspective to the NFL stage as he and Ashley talk matchups, momentum, and unpredictable twists.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The tug-and-pull over GOP members’ demands for more documents and testimony comes as lawmakers juggle the appropriations process and face an end-of-month deadline to fund the government.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
3 Sep. 2025
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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
Verb
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What lingers are the fragments that weren’t rehearsed, a voice breaking, a note pulled from the back of a notebook, a chant that filled the room, a line spoken more to a spouse than to the cameras.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Bolt-action rifles, prized for reliability, require the operator to pull the trigger for one round before manually chambering another round.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Until George Springer yanked a 450-foot fly to the left-field bleachers, the lineup was ostensibly silent.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
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The same words apply to the title character at the film‘s center, the inscrutable and seemingly unscrupulous Hedda Gabler (a magnetic Tessa Thompson), here yanked firmly from the late 20th century setting of Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play into the ’50s, and not missing a single trick along the way.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Check out its jerk chicken roll filled with carrots, cabbage, onions, cheese and jerk mayo; or try the jerk chicken wings and sides of rice and peas, plantains and cabbage.—
Loán Lake,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
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No one says, 'This guy's a jerk, that guy is that,' or anything like that.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, picking better candidates not only makes tactical sense but also removes much of the opportunity for the other side to tear them down.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Less than two months later, Diggs tore his ACL in a standard weekly practice at The Star in Frisco, ending his season before it could really get started after just two games played.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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People were calling it tacky, brave, MFA garbage, heart wrenching.—
Sarah Adler
September 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
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Gut wrenching doesn’t begin to describe it.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Plus, grab knife sets and a nifty electric can opener to streamline your cooking.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
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As Jey checked on Jimmy, LA Knight grabbed the steel chair and teased hitting Jey Uso.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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