Wrench (Verb)
Meaning 1
Twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates; "wrench a window off its hinges"; "wrench oneself free from somebody's grip"; "a deep sigh was wrenched from his chest".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The violent gusts wrenched several roofs off houses.
- She managed to wrench herself free from the car that had pinned her to the wall.
- He tried to wrench the door open, but it refused to budge.
- A cry of pain was wrenched from the little boy's throat.
- The earthquake wrenched several trees out of the ground.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Make a sudden twisting motion.
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- She quickly turned and wrenched the steering wheel to the left to avoid a collision.
- The doctor carefully wrenched the dislocated shoulder back into its socket.
- The surfer tried to wrench the surfboard free from the grip of the seaweed.
- He wrenched the tightly stuck lid off the can with great effort.
- The strong current of the river wrenched the boat away from its moorings.
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
Twist and compress, as if in pain or anguish; "Wring one's hand".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- Her heart wrenched as she watched her child walk away for the first time.
- His face wrenched in agony as he remembered the accident that took his leg.
- She wrenched her hands in despair, feeling helpless to change the outcome.
- The old man's eyes wrenched with sorrow as he spoke of his late wife.
- Her soul wrenched in torment as she faced the harsh reality of her situation.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 4
Twist suddenly so as to sprain; "wrench one's ankle"; "The wrestler twisted his shoulder"; "the hikers sprained their ankles when they fell"; "I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- She wrenched her back when she lifted the heavy box incorrectly.
- In a sudden, awkward move, he wrenched his shoulder and cried out in pain.
- The athlete fell on the ice and wrenched her ankle during the skating competition.
- The hikers were forced to cut their trip short when one of them wrenched his knee.
- When she missed a step, the tourist wrenched her ankle on the uneven pavement.