1. A hand tool that is used to hold or twist a nut or bolt
   "He reached for the wrench to tighten the loose pipe fitting";
   - spanner [Brit]
    
2. A jerky pulling movement
   "He felt a sharp wrench in his ankle as he stepped off the curb";
   - twist
    
3. A sharp strain on muscles or ligaments
   "the wrench to his knee occurred as he fell";
   - twist, pull
    
4. An upsetting or distressing situation or experience
   "Leaving his hometown was an emotional wrench"
    
5. [informal] A mechanic or worker who uses wrenches and other tools
   "The garage hired a new wrench to help with the increased workload"

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 oneself free from somebody's grip"; "a deep sigh was wrenched from his chest"; "wrench a window off its hinges";
   - twist
    
2. Make a sudden twisting motion
   "He wrenched the door handle, trying to open it"
    
3. Twist and compress, as if in pain or anguish
   "wrench one's hand";
   - wring
    
4. Twist suddenly so as to sprain
   "wrench one's ankle";
   - twist, sprain, turn, wrick, rick

Derived forms: wrenched, wrenching, wrenches

See also: squeeze out

Type of: distort, hand tool, harm, hurt, injure, injury, motion, movement, pull, squirm, trauma, twine, twist, worm, wound, wrestle, wriggle, writhe

Encyclopedia: Wrench, David