Wrench

/ˈɹɛnt͡ʃ/ · noun

Meaning

A movement that twists or pulls violently; a tug..

Definitions by Sense

1. A movement that twists or pulls violently; a tug.
2. An injury caused by a violent twisting or pulling of a limb; strain, sprain.
3. (obsolete) A trick or artifice.
4. (obsolete) Deceit; guile; treachery.
5. (obsolete) A turn at an acute angle.
6. (archaic) A winch or windlass.
7. (obsolete) A screw.
8. A distorting change from the original meaning.

Example Sentences

With a wrench, which threw his victim back upon the bed as though hurled from a height, he turned and sprang at us.

It was difficult indeed for Max to disengage himself from the effusive Spinola's affection without a wrench.

But weighing one thing with another he gave Britain for lost; but resolved to make his profit of this business of Britain, as a quarrel for war; and that of Naples, as a wrench and mean for peace

With a surge of adrenaline, she wrenched the car door off and pulled out the injured man.

Be careful not to wrench your ankle walking along those loose stones!

And what actinic, mind-wrenching form could the countermeme take? How could human hands assemble something so devastatingly powerful and hold it steady; what human mind could wield it without exploding from the inside out?

The plumber wrenched the pipes until they came loose.

[S]end me that hag hither; she shall avouch what it was that she hath given to the wretch Dryfesdale, or the pilniewinks and thumbikins shall wrench it out of her finger-joints.

Synonyms for wrench

Antonyms for wrench

Related Words

Word Forms

• wrenches
• wrenche
• wrinche
• wringe
• wrenching
• wrenched

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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