1
as in to pry
to draw out by force or with effort
the boy wrested the book out of his sister's hands
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
4
5
as in to grab
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
wrested open the stuck door of the cabinet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 wrest
Because with a dominant 3-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday in Game 2 of a best-of-seven playoff series, the Ducks evened the series at a win apiece and wrested home-ice advantage away from the division champions.
—
Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
During a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Monday, April 27, Quinn was seen wresting the ball out of the Guardians fan’s hands.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Women are wrested from their seats and don’t return.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
This lack of capability may be why Gabbard, early on, tried to wrest control of counterintelligence operations from Kash Patel over at the FBI, an effort that failed (and should have).
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wrest
Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
During a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Monday, April 27, Quinn was seen wresting the ball out of the Guardians fan’s hands.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Women are wrested from their seats and don’t return.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
This lack of capability may be why Gabbard, early on, tried to wrest control of counterintelligence operations from Kash Patel over at the FBI, an effort that failed (and should have).
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wrest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrest
Verb
-
The report describes Indigenous patrols in Venezuela allegedly working alongside armed groups controlling mining areas and extorting workers along river routes.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
-
Marcus Lamb also alleged that three people tried to extort money from him to stay quiet.—
John Seewer,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
For the three legs of the Triple Crown, jockeys earn a wide range of sums to wear brand logos on their pants, typically varying from low to mid five-figures.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
-
The series has since earned GLAAD Media Awards, a Peabody Award win, and 18 Canadian Screen Awards nominations, signaling both its critical acclaim and cultural impact.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
When Evans scored a short-handed goal off the rush, Ruff pulled Lyon for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Junior Aimee Colson led the Raiders in sacksand total flag pulls this season while senior RonNeisha Thomas led in interceptions.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Denise ascended the stairs, yelling at Djena all the way up, then grabbed Djena by the collar and began hitting her.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
To make one, grab a clean, thick sock (preferably a larger one) and fill it with uncooked rice, oats, or flaxseed.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
It can be copied, replayed, leaked, modeled or eventually extracted.—
Pravir Malik,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Recommended Stories That’s assuming there’s actually enough of it accessible on the moon to be profitably extracted.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
On the Right, Israel is being squeezed by a smaller faction of the Make America Great Again movement that wants to pare back all American foreign aid.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2026
-
Gas prices are continuing to squeeze drivers at the pump.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
In photos obtained by Fox News Digital, Sambora and Locklear were seen walking their daughter down the aisle together.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
Officers with the Wyoming Police Department responded to a home in Wyoming, Minnesota, on Monday, May 11, after receiving a 911 call of an assault with a weapon in progress, according to charging documents from the Chisago County Attorney's Office obtained by PEOPLE.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Just across the state line, Alabama’s DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon are also wonderful for stunning views, hikes and whatever else tugs your trotline.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
There’s an elastic tension in the way that a character like Mal wants to confess, wants to share in community, and also wants to disappear, a situation that tugs at her relationships with her friends and with the audience.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrest. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
