Illustration of monkey wrench
- monkey wrench 1
monkey wrench
noun
1
: a wrench with one fixed and one adjustable jaw at right angles to a straight handle
2
: something that disrupts
threw a monkey wrench into the peace negotiations
Examples of monkey wrench in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite the cleanup efforts, Biden’s comment — mangled or otherwise — threw a monkey wrench into the Harris campaign’s plan to highlight her pledge to govern for all Americans, regardless of party.
—
Dan Mangan, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024
Things like unpredictable algorithm changes, a shift in how users behave or unforeseen competition can throw a monkey wrench into your analytics.
—Jason Hall, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
The missile launch that interrupted the social night out was a foretaste of Pyongyang’s ability to throw a monkey wrench into regional relations.
—Michael Auslin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2017
This does, of course, throw a monkey wrench into the possibility of sustaining a relationship.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for monkey wrench 
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.
Dan Mangan, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024
Things like unpredictable algorithm changes, a shift in how users behave or unforeseen competition can throw a monkey wrench into your analytics.
—Jason Hall, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
The missile launch that interrupted the social night out was a foretaste of Pyongyang’s ability to throw a monkey wrench into regional relations.
—Michael Auslin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2017
This does, of course, throw a monkey wrench into the possibility of sustaining a relationship.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for monkey wrench
Articles Related to monkey wrench
Dictionary Entries Near monkey wrench
Cite this Entry
“Monkey wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monkey%20wrench. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share