wrench 1 of 2

noun

Definition of wrenchnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wrench

2 of 2

verb

ˈrench How to pronounce wrench (audio)
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
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

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
Brennan, though, throws the first wrench into the works by instead trying to establish his credibility. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026 Drivers will see a wrench warning light illuminate on the dashboard, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Verb
The family had to make the heart-wrenching decision to take him off life support. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026 From the performances by Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott to the heart-wrenching score by Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch and the gentle script by Haigh, this makes for one of my favorite films of the 2020s. — Staff Report, Oc Register, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
  1. twist
  2. tug
  3. pull
  4. yank
  5. wrenching
  6. jerk
  7. tear
  8. grab
Noun
  • With granny shorts, these soft loafers create a relaxed put still put-together look that’s ideal for those who love a classic vibe with a trendy twist.
    — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 3 July 2026
  • And in a novel twist, there will be a ball drop in New York City’s Times Square at midnight to usher in the July Fourth holiday with much the same revelry that is typically reserved for New Year’s Eve.
    — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of twist
Noun
  • Thus, with gravity the ultimate winner of this cosmic tug of war, the star's core collapses, sending violent shockwaves rippling outward into the outer stellar layers, which are ripped away.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 July 2026
  • Momentus’ spacecraft can also serve as space tugs to ferry smaller satellites or experiments from one orbit to another.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
Definition of tug
Verb
  • Williams pulls even with Steffi Graf for the most major championships in the Open era, which began in 1968.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • As the sun expands, gravitational tides act like a subtle brake, slowly draining Earth's orbital energy and pulling the planet inward.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of pull
Verb
  • Then, five days after the best start of his young MLB career coincided with one of his worst moments, he was yanked after just 2 1/3 innings in Sunday’s 11-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Winco also yanked about 13,500 Roman Candles 8 Shot 3-Pack Firework Devices.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of yank
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
Definition of wrenching
Noun
  • Bates plans to expand that menu in the new brick-and-mortar restaurant, adding dishes like jerk catfish pasta and Louisiana Cajun cream sauce over dirty rice.
    — Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 8 July 2026
  • For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad.
    — Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • Dramatic video showed a large tornado tearing through nearby Ezhou city, where five people were killed.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • Bigger and bigger crowds flocked down here as Mexico tore through the Cup before its face-off against England, with many coming from outside Santa Ana.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of tear
Verb
  • Schieffelin, who played football last season because had used up his basketball eligibility, used his bulky frame to grab eight rebounds on an 11-point night.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • Once the excitement had died down, the team gathered in a circle and a player went up to Haaland, grabbed the back of his neck and kissed his cheek.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Definition of grab

Browse Nearby Words

wrecks
wrench
wrenched
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Cite this Entry

“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wrench

Nglish: Translation of wrench for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wrench

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