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
   "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

See also: painful, squeeze out

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

Encyclopedia: Wrench, David