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

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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

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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

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2
as in to damage
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure wrenched her shoulder by all of that heavy lifting

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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
  • Ivan Reitman’s 2014 football movie Draft Day from Lionsgate is being adapted for television with a new twist.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
  • As season three left fans with a jaw-dropping twist, this edition raises the stakes even higher.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Offerings include arts and crafts, caber toss, the haggis hurl, sheaf toss and tug of war in a non-competitive environment.
    Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Investors expect volatility in the flagship cryptocurrency this year, with bitcoin stuck in a tug of war between investors’ concerns about rising inflation under Trump and their optimism over the his pro-crypto leadership.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 16 Jan. 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
  • 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
  • Aiyuk started slowly with no training camp, and tore his ACL in Week 7 having caught 25 passes for 374 yards and no touchdowns.
    Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2025
  • All of Adams’ Democratic primary challengers have torn into him for his Trump meeting, questioning what good could come from it for New York.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The witness jumped in to assist and grab the knife, cutting himself in the process.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • In the hills of the Palisades, near the Temescal Ridge Trail, Alex Emerick, 34, his younger sister, Rainier, and their parents grabbed garden hoses at their home of 33 years.
    Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In floor remarks Saturday morning, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer ripped into the Trump administration for the move, saying that the dismissals are a possible violation of federal law.
    Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • His logic for ripping Taylor Swift and Caitlin Clark for doing nothing more than watching a Chiefs game made no sense at all.
    Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

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