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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wrench
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
Last month, the Trump administration forbade health officials at the U.S. National Institutes of Health from giving notice about upcoming grant review meetings, throwing a wrench in the machinery of funding new scientific studies.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Emily Steel, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2025
Aided by lifelong collector Reubens’ incomparable archive of still photographs and video footage, the portrait that emerges — sometimes humorously, sometimes sadly — is of a man fighting to reestablish control over his own story in the aftermath of the tabloid scandals that wrenched it away.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Noun
Long before Mitchell Robinson’s surgery return timeline threw a wrench into the Knicks’ frontcourt plans, Thibodeau had a vision: Robinson as the starting center, Karl-Anthony Towns next to him at the four.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
Last month, the Trump administration forbade health officials at the U.S. National Institutes of Health from giving notice about upcoming grant review meetings, throwing a wrench in the machinery of funding new scientific studies.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
Pilots wrenched the plane away from a potential collision before landing safely.
—Emily Steel, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2025
Aided by lifelong collector Reubens’ incomparable archive of still photographs and video footage, the portrait that emerges — sometimes humorously, sometimes sadly — is of a man fighting to reestablish control over his own story in the aftermath of the tabloid scandals that wrenched it away.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
-
The many sweet details — from the smocking at the waist to the decorative front tie — are just the kind of charming twists the day calls for.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The material seems like a natural match for a Disney live-action treatment with a sweet sci-fi twist that should translate into a charming spring smash at the box office.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Even so, Wilmore and Williams will face extensive rehabilitation over the next several weeks and months as their bodies re-adapt to the unfamiliar tug of gravity. Hague and Gorbunov, who spent spent 171 days in space, will re-adapt more quickly, perhaps, but both will require physical therapy.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The gravitational tug of neighboring galaxies compresses gas within a galaxy, triggering star formation.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
-
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
-
Then along comes a project that yanks you from that shapeless sack of gloom.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
13 Mar. 2025
-
President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada offended leaders there to the point that Ontario fired back by yanking American booze from store shelves.—
Matt Egan,
CNN,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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What a jerk! Neagley fares better, dispatching two button men sent to kill her in her Windy City high-rise office.—
Chris Klimek,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2025
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If anyone other than Rudd were playing her selfish dad, audiences would be actively rooting for the jerk to get ’corned.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In January 2025, the Palisades and Eaton fires tore through Southern California, consuming thousands of homes and reducing neighborhoods and critical infrastructure to ashes.—
Trevor Riggen,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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June is visibly torn between the two loves of her life: Luke and Nick (Max Minghella), the latter of who continues to risk everything to save her no matter the consequences.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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He’s minimized the walks, partly due to his willingness to use his curveball early in counts for strikes to get ahead and grab count leverage.—
Fabian Ardaya,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
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Oh my God, so amazing to grab that artist for Charlotte. ...—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There’s a letter carrier called Penny Pal (Jenny Slate) that can rip people’s hearts out.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
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The Tampa Bay Rays were all set to break ground on a new stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, when Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off Tropicana Field last October, rendering the venue unplayable.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to wrench
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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