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
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, the Trump administration is throwing a wrench into this essential public service.
—David Williams, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
At slower speeds, the steering feels cumbersome, requiring effort to wrench it around tight bends.
—Charlie Thomas, Robb Report, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for wrench 
Noun
The first Trump administration saw some deals travel a smooth and efficient path through regulatory review, but personal grievances also threw a wrench in at times.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, the Trump administration is throwing a wrench into this essential public service.
—David Williams, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
The Eagles led 10-0 when Dean sniffed out a screen, then tore the patellar tendon in his left knee while wrenching tight end Tucker Kraft to the turf.
—Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
At slower speeds, the steering feels cumbersome, requiring effort to wrench it around tight bends.
—Charlie Thomas, Robb Report, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
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It’s also enmeshed with a BEAMS PLUS twist on classic nautical style, blending craftsmanship with contemporary design.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
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Denim corsets have also been trending over the past couple of years with celebrities like Taylor Swift, Ashley Park, Anne Hathaway, Shakira, and Bella Hadid putting their individual twists on the look.—
Marissa Muller,
WWD,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For all the language about the transformative nature of the narcotic farms, they were hamstrung by federal policies reflecting the nation’s tug of war between treatment and punishment.—
TIME,
TIME,
10 Feb. 2025
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At other times, the vessels are pulled along by small tugs, by way of a long line.—
Matt Dutile,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
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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
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With Dexter Lawrence of the New York Jets, Tampa Bay’s Vita Vea and Seattle’s Leonard Williams anchoring the strength test, the AFC got yanked into a foam pit twice in a best-of-three event.—
Mark Long,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
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In his defence, Chris knows that Min’s student visa is about to expire, and that his wealthy grandma (Youn Yuh-jung) is about to yank him back to Korea to take up a job in the family business.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Diagnosed first with Jeavons syndrome in 2018/19—a rare form of epilepsy characterized by absence seizures and eyelid jerks—a 1,000-gene epilepsy panel in 2020 revealed further health problems.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
30 Dec. 2024
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My job was to go over there and not be a jerk and try to advance the stand-up ball a couple of yards for the next guy that comes over there.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, four snaps into his debut, that hope was extinguished as Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon and missed the remainder of his maiden campaign in New Jersey.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
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Dean emerged as a defensive leader this season, racking up 128 tackles, but did play in the Super Bowl after tearing a patellar tendon during the wild-card round.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Then, almost missing the cue, Belushi stepped forward and grabbed the mic stand.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2025
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The second woman, the grandmother of the 5-year-old girl and mother of the 22-year-old victim, tried to intervene when Phillips grabbed and pushed her, authorities said.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Republicans have ripped the idea, saying that a credit of $50 would not have much impact on a family of four that is trying to pay the bills.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
18 Feb. 2025
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In early January, several fires ripped through parts of Los Angeles, burning tens of thousands of acres and destroying more than 9,000 buildings, including homes and businesses.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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