Wrench — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈrench/

Meaning & Definition of Wrench

Wrench (verb)

  1. to move with a violent twist; also, to undergo twisting
  2. to pull or strain at something with violent twisting
  3. to twist violently

Wrench (noun)

  1. a violent twisting or a pull with or as if with twisting
  2. a sharp twist or sudden jerk straining muscles or ligaments; also, the resultant injury (as of a joint)
  3. a distorting or perverting alteration

Wrench (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: twist, twisting, wrenching, wresting, wringing
    related: draft, draw, extraction, pull, tug, yank, dislocation, displacement

  2. 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"

    similar: draw, haul, jerk, pluck, pull, tug, yank
    related: drag, tow, hitch, twitch, grab, snatch
    opposite: push
    near: heave, shove, thrust

Wrench (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to move by or as if by a forceful rotation

    "with one last sharp yank, he wrenched the lid off the bottle of ketchup"

    similar: twist, wrest, wring
    related: draw, dredge (up), extract, jerk, lug, pluck, pull, tug, tweak, yank, jimmy, lever, pry, budge, dislocate, displace, disturb, remove, shift, transfer, transpose

  2. to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure

    "wrenched her shoulder by all of that heavy lifting"

    similar: pull, rack, strain, stretch
    related: fray, tax, weaken, damage, harm, hurt, impair, wound, batter, bruise, tear, cripple, lame, mangle, mutilate

  3. to separate or remove by forceful pulling

    "wrenched the post out of the ground"

    similar: rip, tear, wrest, yank
    related: grab, nab, seize, snap (up), snatch, lop (off), nip, amputate, cut (off), dissever, sever, extract, force, jerk, prize, pry, pull, root (out), uproot
    near: reattach

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Wrench

The most common words with a similar meaning to Wrench:

twist, twisting, wrenching, wresting, wringing, draw, haul, jerk, pluck, pull, tug, yank, wrest, wring, rack, strain, stretch, rip, tear

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Wrench

Words with the opposite meaning of Wrench:

push

Related Words for Wrench

draft, extraction, dislocation, displacement, drag, tow, hitch, twitch, grab, snatch, dredge (up), extract, lug, tweak, jimmy, lever, pry, budge, dislocate, displace, disturb, remove, shift, transfer, transpose, fray, tax, weaken, damage, harm

Near Antonyms of Wrench

heave, shove, thrust, reattach

Word Forms of Wrench

Inflections: wrenched, wrenching, wrenches

Derived words: wrenchingly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Wrench

Middle English, from Old English wrencan; akin to Old High German renken to twist and perhaps to Latin vergere to bend, incline

First known use: before 12th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Wrench

Allen wrench, monkey wrench, pipe wrench, socket wrench, throw a wrench into the works, throw/hurl/toss a monkey wrench into

Frequently Asked Questions about Wrench

What does "Wrench" mean?

"Wrench" means to move with a violent twist; also, to undergo twisting. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to move with a violent twist; also, to undergo twisting. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Wrench"?

Other words for "Wrench" include twist, twisting, wrenching, wresting, wringing, draw, haul and jerk. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Wrench" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Wrench"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Wrench". Common alternatives include twist, twisting, wrenching, wresting, wringing, draw, haul, jerk, pluck and pull.

What is the opposite of "Wrench"?

Antonyms of "Wrench" include push. Near antonyms include heave, shove, thrust and reattach.

How do you use "Wrench" in a sentence?

Examples of "Wrench" in a sentence: "with a sharp wrench of the hammer I pulled the nail from the board"; "with one final hard wrench I was able to pull the cork from the bottle"; "with one last sharp yank, he wrenched the lid off the bottle of ketchup".

Is "Wrench" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Wrench" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Wrench"?

"Wrench" is pronounced /ˈrench/.

What is the origin of the word "Wrench"?

"Wrench" comes from Middle English, from Old English wrencan; akin to Old High German renken to twist and perhaps to Latin vergere to bend, incline. First known use: before 12th centuryi.