wrest
to twist or turn; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist.
to take away by force: to wrest a knife from a child.
to get by effort: to wrest a living from the soil.
to twist or turn from the proper course, application, use, meaning, or the like; wrench.
a wresting; twist or wrench.
a key or small wrench for tuning stringed musical instruments, as the harp or piano, by turning the pins to which the strings are fastened.
Origin of wrest
1synonym study For wrest
Other words for wrest
Other words from wrest
- wrester, noun
- un·wrest·ed, adjective
- un·wrest·ing, adjective
Words that may be confused with wrest
- rest, wrest
Words Nearby wrest
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use wrest in a sentence
Will the Republican finally wrest control of the Senate from the Democrats?
She could never seem to wrest free any back royalties, but she always seemed to owe back taxes.
Before the Earthquake Hit: When The Beatles Landed in America | Michael Tomasky | January 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe military made an aggressive push to wrest control over drone targeting decisions away from the president.
Robert Shrum on the four tricks the GOP might use to wrest back control.
Obama Realigns, the GOP Declines: The New Political Paradigm | Robert Shrum | February 1, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTJade asked Strong if she was ever at a loss for ideas and if so, how she might wrest herself from a slump.
Camp Fashion Design Draws Budding Designers To New York | Robin Givhan | July 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
To fix on any one stage in such an evolution, detach it, affirm it, is to wrest a true scripture to its destruction.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel ConwayIt had become evident that a formidable rebellion threatened to wrest the Siberian provinces from the Russian crown.
Michael Strogoff | Jules Verne"It's mine," coaxed Marjorie, trying to wrest it from Nannie.
Four Days | Hetty HemenwayIt is not every man who can wrest vast wealth from the turmoils of a “Black Friday.”
The Arena | VariousShe was going to wrest the dish forcibly from my hands, beat me with her fists, and let me feel all her ill-will.
Solomon Maimon: An Autobiography. | Solomon Maimon
British Dictionary definitions for wrest
/ (rɛst) /
to take or force away by violent pulling or twisting
to seize forcibly by violent or unlawful means
to obtain by laborious effort
to distort in meaning, purpose, etc
the act or an instance of wresting
archaic a small key used to tune a piano or harp
Origin of wrest
1Derived forms of wrest
- wrester, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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