wrench 1 of 2

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

Relevance
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

wrench

2 of 2

verb

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
as in to damage
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure wrenched her shoulder by all of that heavy lifting

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Examples 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
If that name sounds familiar to you, that's likely because the company has previously brought us gadgets such as a tiny adjustable wrench and a nifty measuring ring. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2025 Las Vegas’ 19-14 comeback win over Jacksonville in Week 16 has thrown a wrench into the race for the No. 1 pick — and the conversation about where the top quarterback prospects will land in 2025. Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
However, pleasant homecomings in Outlander are fleeting, and the Frasers will be wrenched apart once more when Lord John Grey's nephew is injured in the American Revolution. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 Oliveira films on location, with the actors in costume, declaiming in boldly theatrical tones that seem wrenched whole from the era of the play’s origins. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wrench 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
  • From there, the Bills focused more on a four-man rush, but with a twist.
    Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Miley Cyrus , during her final stage as Hannah Montana, gave a twist to the character - and to her own look - by adding more hair to her bangs, giving them a fuller, heavier appearance.
    Michel Mejía, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The big planets can shift Earth’s orbit slightly, and how our planet reacts to this interplanetary tug can set new temperature patterns in motion.
    Longreads, Longreads, 18 Dec. 2024
  • The tugs will deliver the ship to the docks of Modern American Recycling Services – MARS – a company that specializes in vessel salvage and other marine operations.
    George Petras, USA TODAY, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.
    Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
  • The 13-minute performance will likely call for a healthy dose of vibrant, colored lighting to pull it all together.
    Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • On Monday, two police officers struggled to pull a coyote out of a fridge at an Aldi store, with a now-viral video showing an officer yank it out by its tail before the animal jumps right back into the fridge.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • At one point another DOC officer, wearing blue latex gloves, yanks him up by the scruff of the neck and drags him to the back of the room by a window.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Symptoms include: Hallucinations or delusions Increased heart rate Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Dizziness Muscle jerks Sweating or flushing Seizures Effexor is not approved for children but is sometimes used off-label for anxiety and depression disorders.
    Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Among the new food items on sale during the Seven Seas Food Festival will be Jamaican jerk chicken and pork pincho at the Caribbean Market; garlic toast chicken parmigiana (Italian Market), strawberry pouffe (Irish Market) and veggie samosas (Indian market).
    Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • However, his past actions have led to skepticism about his commitment to this cause. Silva, who was brought to the U.S. as a baby, has spent his entire life in this country, yet the fear of being torn from his family and home grows each day.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
  • The View co-hosts tore into President-elect Donald Trump‘s criticism of American flags flying at half-staff during his inauguration in memory of the late former President Jimmy Carter.
    Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Zar rushed to a drawer and grabbed from it passports, as well as insurance and banking documents.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
  • So grab your favorite streaming device, line up some snacks, and let the enchantment unfold.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After Florida, the crew went to Southern California to rip.
    Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The historic wildfires currently ripping across parts of Los Angeles County have claimed the lives of at least 10 people and led to the mandatory evacuation of more than 150,000 residents — including a growing list of celebrities who have seen their multi-million-dollar homes go down in flames.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near wrench

Cite this Entry

“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wrench

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!