From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishwrenchwrench1 /rentʃ/ verb 1 [transitive always + adverb/preposition]PULL to twist and pull something roughly from the place where it is being held I wrenched the packet from his grasp. The door had been wrenched open.2 → wrench yourself away/free3 [transitive]MIINJURE to hurt a joint in your body by twisting it SYN sprain I think I’ve wrenched my knee.→ See Verb table
[countable] especially American English a metal tool that you use for turning nuts SYN spanner British English2 → throw a (monkey) wrench in something3 [singular]REGRET/FEEL SORRY a strong feeling of sadness that you get when you leave a person or place that you love Leaving New York had been a terrible wrench.4 [countable usually singular]PULL a twisting movement that pulls something violently He grabbed the rope and gave it a wrench.
Examples from the Corpus
wrench• Every punch and kick doubled her up with pain and wrenched a tortured shout from her throat.• The boat wrenched and banked severely to the right.• He wrenched at the stout panelling, roaring with fury.• Horrified, she tried to wrench herself from sleep - then the water struck, roaring round her ears.• Brian wrenched his back trying to carry a heavy box.• They were almost at the church before he wrenched his mind back to the present.• In 1943, the army wrenched the boy's father from him.• Only greater humiliation could result from an attempt to wrench the truth from her.wrenchwrench2 noun 1 [countable] especially American English a metal tool that you use for turning nuts SYN spanner British English2 → throw a (monkey) wrench in something3 [singular]REGRET/FEEL SORRY a strong feeling of sadness that you get when you leave a person or place that you love Leaving New York had been a terrible wrench.4 [countable usually singular]PULL a twisting movement that pulls something violently He grabbed the rope and gave it a wrench.Examples from the Corpus
wrench• But I know it is going to be a wrench.• As she told me the bad news, I felt a wrench in my stomach.• He had a wrench hanging from his belt loop.• One wrench of your back could cause permanent damage.• Yet Washington keeps throwing political wrenches into oil projects at home and abroad.• I pushed the wrench down the side of Armstrong's driving seat and wound up the engine.• Spray it and then use the wrench on it, jump on to the window ledge then on to the door.Origin wrench1 Old English wrencan 