wrench
10
4.3
- noun
- /rɛntʃ/
- The athlete suffered a wrench in his ankle during the match, which caused him to fall.
- feel a wrench
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Watch on YouTubeIt has been an emotional wrench for him, even as he deals with the grief which has been significant after the death of his father, Prince Philip.
- It has been an emotional wrench for him, even as he deals with the grief which has been significant after the death of his father, Prince Philip.
Examples
-
Rafael felt an inward wrench at the sight of her, a tug born of something other than fear for her safety.
Fiction book (1994) -
He felt a sharp pain in his back after the sudden wrench he made while lifting the box.
-
Blade was withdrawn with a downward wrench which split the whole back open.
Fiction book (1990) -
Finally, Grendel gave a mighty wrench, tearing his own arm at the shoulder.
-
His tooth gave another sharp wrench of pain, and stifling a moan, he pushed open the surgery door.
Fiction book (1998) -
She experienced a wrench in her neck after sleeping in an awkward position.
Synonyms
Idioms
1
8.6
Cause problems on purpose that stop a plan or process from working smoothly
Compounds
6
4.2
A hand tool with a handle and removable metal pieces that fit over and turn nuts and bolts
- Specialized
3
6.8
A tool that measures and applies the right tightness to bolts and nuts
- US
2
4.1
A small L-shaped tool with a six-sided end used to turn bolts with six-sided holes
- Specialized
1
3.7
A large adjustable tool with jaws that have teeth for gripping and turning pipes
- Specialized
A hand tool with a chain loop that grips and turns pipes or other round things
- Specialized
A wrench with a handle shaped like a crank used to turn pipes or round metal parts
- Specialized
A tool with a V-shaped, toothed jaw for gripping and turning pipes or bolts
- Specialized
A tool with a hooked end for turning round nuts or bolt heads without flat sides
- Specialized
A small metal tool with a six-sided bar for turning screws with matching holes
- Specialized
A large metal tool with L-shaped jaws that grip tighter when you push the handle to turn pipes
- Specialized
A tool like an Allen key for turning bolts and screws with six-sided sockets
How Forceful
Surface Forms
Etymology
Wrench comes from an old English idea meaning 'to twist' and is related to the common word wring. So a 'wrench' is a sudden, forceful twist or pull, which is why people speak of the emotional 'wrench' of leaving someone.