wrest

Definition of wrestnext
1
as in to pry
to draw out by force or with effort the boy wrested the book out of his sister's hands

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2
as in to extort
to get (as money) by the use of force or threats vowed that the bully had wrested his lunch money from him for the last time

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3
as in to earn
to get with great difficulty farmers who were used to wresting a living from the harsh land

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4
5
as in to grab
to separate or remove by forceful pulling wrested open the stuck door of the cabinet

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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 wrest Because with a dominant 3-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday in Game 2 of a best-of-seven playoff series, the Ducks evened the series at a win apiece and wrested home-ice advantage away from the division champions. Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 During a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Monday, April 27, Quinn was seen wresting the ball out of the Guardians fan’s hands. Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026 Women are wrested from their seats and don’t return. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026 This lack of capability may be why Gabbard, early on, tried to wrest control of counterintelligence operations from Kash Patel over at the FBI, an effort that failed (and should have). Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrest
Verb
  • Since then, the status of the Strait – through which a fifth of global energy passes – has effectively been frozen, even as the Iranian regime has taken steps (like establishing a new maritime authority to extort transiting vessels) to tighten its grip there.
    Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • The report describes Indigenous patrols in Venezuela allegedly working alongside armed groups controlling mining areas and extorting workers along river routes.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • There’s a deeply observational quality to his songwriting, especially evident in the most nostalgic numbers here, that makes his eternal cheer feel well earned.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 23 May 2026
  • The track became a major crossover success, reaching the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually earning platinum certification.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • These Ewedoos trousers are for anyone who wants to look pulled together without dealing with stiff waistbands or restrictive fabrics.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
  • The other girl’s hair was pulled.
    Debra Newman Kamin, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Denise ascended the stairs, yelling at Djena all the way up, then grabbed Djena by the collar and began hitting her.
    Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • To make one, grab a clean, thick sock (preferably a larger one) and fill it with uncooked rice, oats, or flaxseed.
    Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Many manufacturers invested heavily in connected equipment and data collection, only to discover that collecting data and extracting value from it are entirely different challenges.
    Joel Scutchfield, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • Washington — New technology allowing audio of plane crashes to be extracted from still images has prompted the National Transportation Safety Board to take a rare step of pausing the public release of nearly all information related to its investigations.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • The advice generated for mental health inquiries can attempt to squeeze a round peg into a square hole, simply because that’s the imbalance of the AI.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
  • But the airline was squeezed at the airport because Spirit occupied many of the gates, especially at prime flying hours.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • In photos obtained by Fox News Digital, Sambora and Locklear were seen walking their daughter down the aisle together.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
  • Officers with the Wyoming Police Department responded to a home in Wyoming, Minnesota, on Monday, May 11, after receiving a 911 call of an assault with a weapon in progress, according to charging documents from the Chisago County Attorney's Office obtained by PEOPLE.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Just across the state line, Alabama’s DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon are also wonderful for stunning views, hikes and whatever else tugs your trotline.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • There’s an elastic tension in the way that a character like Mal wants to confess, wants to share in community, and also wants to disappear, a situation that tugs at her relationships with her friends and with the audience.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrest. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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