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
New Atlas, 31 Jan. 2026
Make sure that the spare tire is properly inflated and the lug wrench and jack are still in the car.
—John Paul, The Providence Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
Marta Balaga, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
As parents determined to maintain a strong front, Astrit Kabashi and Flonja Kodheli give performances of exquisite understatement in a quietly wrenching story of dwindling hope and mounting tension.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Noun
And a strong gust of wind can often throw a wrench into the whole thing.
—New Atlas, 31 Jan. 2026
Make sure that the spare tire is properly inflated and the lug wrench and jack are still in the car.
—John Paul, The Providence Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Equally, industry discussions at Göteborg did not skirt the large challenges facing the Nordics, often shared by the global industry at large at a time of wrenching industry disruption.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
As parents determined to maintain a strong front, Astrit Kabashi and Flonja Kodheli give performances of exquisite understatement in a quietly wrenching story of dwindling hope and mounting tension.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
-
Vying for a parking spot on a crowded city street after a snowstorm has long felt like going to battle, and now there's a harrowing twist.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The offerings range from classics — or contemporary twists on them — to musicals, historical pieces, political fare, dark comedy and experimental work, some of the productions crossing over into multiple genres.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The games in previous years consisted of events like precision passing competitions, spectacular catch competitions, dodgeball games, tug of war bouts and relay races.—
Sam Warren,
Houston Chronicle,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Even as home priorities tug, warmth and patience keep everyone on your side through this shift.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The fish must have pulled it loose in the grass.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Gomis’ complex, patient scene construction lets such tensions lie and ripple and occasionally erupt, though there’s always too much going on for any single mini-drama to pull focus.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Texas coach Vic Schaefer has also yanked post players Justice Carlton and Ashton Judd after on-court errors in the first half, and the Longhorns entered this timeout with four guards and Oldacre on the court.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
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Mitchell’s companion yanked a necklace off Reed’s neck before both suspects fled the area, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Smarmy jerks can get obscenely wealthy in this country just by managing other people’s money.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The food shies away from the typical — no crab rangoon here — for finger foods that harken to cuisines outside the South Pacific, like Jamaican style jerk shrimp skewers ($18) and salmon ceviche ($16).—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The case has deeply embarrassed the royal family, especially his mother, who suffers from an incurable lung illness and who is torn between her role as mother and future queen.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
And that dislocation tore the labrum, which is the tissue that surrounds the socket and attaches it to the bone.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This can feel challenging and heart-wrenching.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Such is the case in Quiara Alegría Hudes’s wrenching and mordant debut novel, The White Hot, in which 26-year-old April Soto hits her breaking point and walks out on her 10-year-old daughter, Noelle.—
Ruth Madievsky,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Similarly, Bad Bunny also stopped at a piraguas cart recreation and briefly grabbed a frozen dessert.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
His piece of genius separated the sides entering the 84th minute but during a chaotic finale, the hosts conspired to grab defeat from the jaws of victory.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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