wrested

past tense of wrest
1
2
as in extorted
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5

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 wrested In 1968, Palestinians resurrected an independence movement that wrested decision making away from Egypt and other Arab countries that had been humiliated in the Six-Day War. Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025 But still, the record is a spiritual victory, full of wisdom wrested from audible pain. Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrested
Verb
  • The complaint alleges that Moseley interfered with her players’ mental health treatment, pried into players’ personal and romantic lives and threatened players about scholarships and playing time.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
  • The linchpin isn't just at risk; it's being actively pried loose.
    Scott White, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The neo-noir thriller, which is an adaptation of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, follows David King (Washington), a successful music executive who gets extorted by an up-and-coming rapper (A$AP Rocky).
    Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Velasco's wife, a teacher who earned her doctorate alongside him, pushed him to change his approach.
    Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The scene touched the hearts of viewers and earned rave reviews from critics.
    Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Mahomes pulled the Chiefs within one in the third quarter.
    Jesse Newell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The drawstring waist is adjustable and has a stretchy waistband for improved comfort even when pulled tight.
    Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Twenty-four hours later, Ohtani entered the visiting clubhouse in Baltimore and grabbed his glove.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • During the argument, Martin grabbed a hammer from Lawson that Lawson had been using to repair a patio door and raised it above his head in a striking motion, Lawson said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In another instance, the museum spotlights a story about an unplanned sinking of the Orca, when a production boat that was pulling the onscreen boat went too fast and yanked out the Orca’s planking.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, Labyrinth was yanked from some theaters less than a month after its release.
    Logan Karlie September 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The shakeups are the latest at a time when restaurants are squeezed between a labor shortage, rising food prices and a loss of customers as diners cut back on spending.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
  • For now, the three youngest each sleep in their own pack-and-plays squeezed into their parents’ bedroom.
    Jeff Truesdell, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His scraggly beard seems grown to be wrenched.
    Roy Scranton August 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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