wrenched; wrenching; wrenches
1
: to move with a violent twist
also
: to undergo twisting
2
: to pull or strain at something with violent twisting
1
: to twist violently
2
: to injure or disable by a violent twisting or straining
wrenched her back
4
a
: to pull or tighten by violent twisting or with violence
b
: to snatch forcibly : wrest
5
: to cause to suffer mental anguish : rack entry 2
1
a
: a violent twisting or a pull with or as if with twisting
b
: a sharp twist or sudden jerk straining muscles or ligaments
also
: the resultant injury (as of a joint)
c
: a distorting or perverting alteration
d
: acute emotional distress : sudden violent mental change
2
: a hand or power tool for holding, twisting, or turning an object (such as a bolt or nut)
Examples of wrench in a Sentence
Verb
I tried to wrench free from his grip.
I tried to wrench myself free from his grip.
He wrenched his back when he tried to lift a heavy box.
She wrenched the toy from his grasp.
The statue was wrenched from its pedestal.
Noun
It was a wrench to say goodbye to all my friends.
with a sharp wrench of the hammer I pulled the nail from the board
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Moments of stomach wrenching anguish dot Minnesota United’s history, and Michael Boxall has lived through every major sorrow over the past decade.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Sep. 2025
Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Hearts, bathrobes, skulls, hammers, wrenches, Pinocchio and self-portraits constantly reappear throughout his practice, each revisited with new intensity and meaning over time.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
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Verb
The Chargers are 2-0 and have been very impressive defensively, while the Broncos are 1-1 and are coming off a gut-wrenching loss last weekend to the Indianapolis Colts on a last-second field goal.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Moments of stomach wrenching anguish dot Minnesota United’s history, and Michael Boxall has lived through every major sorrow over the past decade.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
The 33-year-old actor joined the hit Netflix series in season 2 as Alfie, a new love interest to Emily (Lily Collins) who threw yet another wrench in the burgeoning chemistry between her and her neighbor, Gabriel (Lucas Bravo).
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Hearts, bathrobes, skulls, hammers, wrenches, Pinocchio and self-portraits constantly reappear throughout his practice, each revisited with new intensity and meaning over time.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrench. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wrench
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a violent twisting or pull
b
: a sharp twist or sudden jerk that strains muscles or ligaments
also
: the injury caused by this
2
: a tool for holding, twisting, or turning (as nuts and bolts)
Medical Definition
wrench
1 of 2 transitive verb
: to injure or disable by a violent twisting or straining
slipped and wrenched her back
wrench
2 of 2 noun
: a sharp twist or sudden jerk straining muscles or ligaments
also
: the resultant injury (as of a joint)
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