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
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
3
as in to yank
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
wrenched the post out of the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wrench
Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
For several days, travelers have experienced hours-long delays and other hardships as FAA staffing levels, runway construction, and technical issues have thrown a serious wrench into operations.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2025
Sezin Koehler, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Families faced wrenching decisions as the move loomed, including whether to pull children out of school midyear.
—Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Noun
The downside of subsea desalination is that servicing units is not as straightforward as sending someone aft with a wrench.
—Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
For several days, travelers have experienced hours-long delays and other hardships as FAA staffing levels, runway construction, and technical issues have thrown a serious wrench into operations.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2025
Verb
Late in the film, Erivo has one particularly unforgettable moment of raw, wrenching despair, her wail of grief cutting right through the screen.
—Sezin Koehler, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Families faced wrenching decisions as the move loomed, including whether to pull children out of school midyear.
—Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
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Fans want fun— and the newest sports are delivering it by blending familiar formats with bold, inventive twists.—
John Cairney,
Sportico.com,
24 May 2025
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This three-ingredient cocktail is as easy as can be and lends itself to many creative twists.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
Noun
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The catchy, melodious songs are carefully curated to tug at heartstrings, with lyrics that reflect similar memories and moments in one’s life.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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Netflix has won out in a tug of war for Richard Linklater‘s Breathless homage Nouvelle Vague after its Cannes Film Festival debut in the competition.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
26 May 2025
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
-
Weekend warriors yank out invasive plants to save L.A. River.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
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This month, officials yanked millions in tax receipts from restaurant sales as well as state marketing support, according to local affiliate ABC4.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
22 May 2025
Noun
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As part of Gabriel’s solution to showing Ansari’s character that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the Hollywood, the well-meaning angel body-swaps him with an uber-rich jerk, played by Seth Rogen.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
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The left horse just wanted to shamble along, while the right horse pulled with frantic jerks.—
Louise Erdrich,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Verb
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If the tag recommends dry cleaning, washing in cold water in the washing machine, or tumble-drying on medium heat in the dryer, follow those instructions to avoid fading, shrinking, tearing, or otherwise compromising your duvet.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
31 May 2025
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Authorities said the inmates pulled open faulty sliding cell doors, tore out a bathroom to create a hole in the jail, and then climbed a wall to escape.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
Verb
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In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a coffee shop where guests can grab drip coffee, fresh juices, and a small selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, Loco Moco.—
Jalyn Robinson,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2025
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The colorful bar framed in bright neon lights is on the main concourse, so people walking by can grab a drink and head to the casino or other favorite activity, Allen said.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Now the Trump administration wants to negate that argument by asserting that to harm an endangered species means only to injure or kill it directly: to rip it out by the roots or blow it away with a shotgun.—
Emma Marris,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2025
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The Tangipahoa Jail is about 70 miles away from New Orleans, where 10 inmates escaped by ripping a toilet and sink unit from the wall and climbing through a hole on May 16.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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