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
Douglas Schoen, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 2025
But the centers have to be equipped once they’re built, and much of the hardware comes from abroad, so trade wars could throw a wrench in the works.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2025
Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Pilots wrenched the plane away from a potential collision before landing safely.
—Emily Steel, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Noun
Unfortunately, recent weeks have clearly thrown a wrench into that plan.
—Douglas Schoen, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 2025
But the centers have to be equipped once they’re built, and much of the hardware comes from abroad, so trade wars could throw a wrench in the works.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
Its story is very good – an emotional, gut wrenching exploration of grief and humanity — and Nyong’o is at her absolute best.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Pilots wrenched the plane away from a potential collision before landing safely.
—Emily Steel, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrench
Noun
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Biles, 28, gave a sporty look a chic twist by wearing an oversized white Balenciaga jean jacket with black knee-high leather boots.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
On this week’s episode of SNL, host Jack Black joins Cheetos mascot Chester Cheetah for a commercial selling a twist on a familiar product.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For example, the sun’s gravity tugs harder on the moon than Earth’s does!—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
21 Mar. 2025
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Aviles was slapped with a red card after a tackle in the penalty area and a shirt tug that was deemed a denial of a scoring chance for New York.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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President Donald Trump’s decision to yank the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is the latest sign Republicans have a special election problem.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
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Two nights after being yanked in the first period in Tampa Bay, Jarry again was pulled after allowing four goals, this time on 12 shots.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But this Ron Howard was an alternate universe version of Ron Howard, who instead of being notoriously nice, is sort of a jerk.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2025
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Someone actually just said to me that all the men in the book are jerks.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Hill is currently healing from tearing a ligament in his wrist in the 2024 season, but all signs are pointing to the star receiver remaining with the Dolphins at least through the 2025 season.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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With the Rays playing their 2025 home slate at the open-air Steinbrenner Field, after Hurricane Milton tore the roof off their own Tropicana Field in October, weather will now be a factor in everything from concessions to groundskeeping in a way the team has never managed before.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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At one point, police said, the couple stopped and became involved in a verbal altercation, and the man allegedly grabbed her by the neck and strangled her.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Mar. 2025
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The teacher showed up unannounced at the student's home on Wednesday and requested that the child grab the missing homework assignment, the family said.—
Landon Mion,
Fox News,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But Paredes singled on a first-pitch fastball from Jax, and Alvarez ripped the reliever’s pitch for a no-doubt, two-run homer.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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Gabriel was among at least nine people killed across several states after a rash of deadly storms ripped through the central US, spawning dozens of tornadoes, dumping more than a foot of rain and leaving catastrophic flooding.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrench. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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