Synonyms of wresting

wresting 1 of 2

noun

as in twisting

a forceful rotating or pulling motion for the purpose of dislodging something

no amount of wresting could loosen the rusted bolt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• twisting
• tug
• twist
• wrench
• wrenching
• wringing
• pull
• yank
• extraction
• displacement
• draw
• dislocation
• draft

wresting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wrest

1

as in pulling

to draw out by force or with effort

the boy wrested the book out of his sister's hands

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pulling
• prying
• extracting
• yanking
• plucking
• uprooting
• removing
• tearing (out)
• wringing
• corkscrewing
• prizing
• taking (out)
• mining
• withdrawing
• rooting (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inserting
• installing
• instilling
• implanting
• stuffing
• jamming
• wedging
• ramming
• cramming

2

as in extorting

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

• extorting
• squeezing
• wringing
• coercing
• exacting
• milking
• forcing
• bleeding
• gouging
• swindling
• fleecing
• skinning
• cheating
• compelling
• racketeering

3

as in earning

to get with great difficulty

farmers who were used to wresting a living from the harsh land

Synonyms & Similar Words

• earning
• obtaining
• squeezing
• scraping (up or together)
• scrounging
• procuring
• securing
• acquiring
• wringing
• attaining
• gaining
• eking (out)
• drawing
• landing

4

as in yanking

to move by or as if by a forceful rotation

I need a strong arm to wrest the lid off this pickle jar

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pulling
• yanking
• tugging
• wrenching
• plucking
• twisting
• wringing
• removing
• jerking
• extracting
• prying
• lugging
• drawing
• tweaking
• dredging (up)
• dislocating
• displacing
• shifting
• levering
• transposing
• transferring
• disturbing
• jimmying
• budging

5

as in grabbing

to separate or remove by forceful pulling

wrested open the stuck door of the cabinet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grabbing
• yanking
• tearing
• ripping
• snatching
• pulling
• wrenching
• extracting
• seizing
• prying
• cutting (off)
• severing
• forcing
• snapping (up)
• amputating
• uprooting
• nabbing
• lopping (off)
• jerking
• nipping
• dissevering
• prizing
• rooting (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reattaching

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wresting

Noun

In pitching his services, Prince discussed wresting control of gangs to allow major highways to reopen. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025

Verb

The state has passed a string of laws wresting power over local development away from local government. — Nico Rivero, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

The leader of the group, Lydell Henry, told our partners at the Baltimore Banner the fan group had so far raised $13,000 for his group, which teaches wresting and provides after-school support to low income youth. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

French police rounded up thousands of Jews over two days in July 1942, wresting children from their mothers’ arms and dispatching everyone to Nazi death camps. — Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

The Smithsonian Institution, which oversees twenty-one museums, among other establishments, operates independently from the executive branch of the government, which makes wresting control over it more difficult. — News Desk, Artforum, 15 July 2026

In his first bout at 170 pounds, Makhachev cruised to a decision win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November 2025, easily wresting the UFC welterweight crown from Della Maddalena. — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

But skeptics of Elliott’s plans say there is little precedent in the modern era of municipalities, or even states, wresting control from private for-profit utilities. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026

One can picture a similar relief for Veeze, wresting control from the internet, letting his unfazed facade crack even if for just a moment. — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026

Vegas withstood an early barrage and then completely took over, defeating the top-seeded Avalanche 4-2 and wresting home-ice advantage away. — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 21 May 2026