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1. Causing great physical or mental suffering
   "a wrenching pain";
   - racking

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
    
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

See also: painful

Type of: distort, injure, pull, squirm, twine, twist, worm, wound, wrestle, wriggle, writhe

Encyclopedia: Wrench, David