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
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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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wrench
R29 Team, Refinery29, 3 Sep. 2025
These include American Tanto, sheepfoot, serrated and saw blade options, as well as unconventional choices like a comb and can opener/ruler/wrench/seatbelt cutter single-piece multitool.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
The gut-wrenching film uses voice recordings between Hind Rajab and the Red Crescent volunteers who got the emergency call and tried to keep her on the line to get an ambulance to her.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Noun
Summer is usually a slow time for us but the last few days have been unusually busy, and the softer economic data on Friday really threw a wrench into things.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 3 Sep. 2025
These include American Tanto, sheepfoot, serrated and saw blade options, as well as unconventional choices like a comb and can opener/ruler/wrench/seatbelt cutter single-piece multitool.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
The film’s all-Palestinian cast — including Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury and Amer Hlehel — spoke in Venice of the emotionally wrenching mood throughout production.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
The gut-wrenching film uses voice recordings between Hind Rajab and the Red Crescent volunteers who got the emergency call and tried to keep her on the line to get an ambulance to her.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
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The chic, minimalist bow print gives it a preppy twist that looks great on long plane rides, road trips, and everywhere in between.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Sep. 2025
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Colin brings his Hollywood perspective to the NFL stage as he and Ashley talk matchups, momentum, and unpredictable twists.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The quasi-moon is expected to remain in its current near-Earth orbit for about another 60 years before the gravitational tug of the sun pulls it back into a horseshoe orbit.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
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This pulling motion tugs on artificial bones, creating movements similar to how the human body works.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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What lingers are the fragments that weren’t rehearsed, a voice breaking, a note pulled from the back of a notebook, a chant that filled the room, a line spoken more to a spouse than to the cameras.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Bolt-action rifles, prized for reliability, require the operator to pull the trigger for one round before manually chambering another round.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By Wednesday, Kimmel’s bosses at ABC—owned by Disney—decided to yank him without a definite return date.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
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Former Cincinnati Reds star Zack Cozart on Wednesday cheered Disney’s decision to yank comedian Jimmy Kimmel off the air after controversial comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Check out its jerk chicken roll filled with carrots, cabbage, onions, cheese and jerk mayo; or try the jerk chicken wings and sides of rice and peas, plantains and cabbage.—
Loán Lake,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
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No one says, 'This guy's a jerk, that guy is that,' or anything like that.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The list of productive running backs who’ve returned from an Achilles tear — much less torn every lateral ligament in their knees multiple times — is miniscule.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
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The bullet tore through his neck, in front of thousands of people, including children.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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People were calling it tacky, brave, MFA garbage, heart wrenching.—
Sarah Adler
September 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
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Gut wrenching doesn’t begin to describe it.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Plus, grab knife sets and a nifty electric can opener to streamline your cooking.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
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As Jey checked on Jimmy, LA Knight grabbed the steel chair and teased hitting Jey Uso.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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