wrench
verb (used with object)
to twist suddenly and forcibly; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist.
had been wrenching
-
past perfect progressiveof wrench.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Years of harsh austerity measures imposed by international bailouts had been wrenching, Mr. Skouros said, as new construction ground to a standstill.
From New York Times ● Sep. 25, 2023
The previous weeks had been wrenching for all sides.
From New York Times ● Mar. 18, 2017
The discovery had left them deeply shaken, and the choice to abort had been wrenching enough. But being forced to have her fetus visualized again in the final hours of her pregnancy felt cruel and absurd.
From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2012
All this time I had been wrenching out the hooks from the dresser, and the nails, wherever I could find any, from the walls.
From A Night on the Borders of the Black Forest by Amelia Ann Blanford Edwards
Susan heard the first of it on a windy, gritty Saturday afternoon, when she was glad to get indoors, and to take off the hat that had been wrenching her hair about.
From Saturday's Child by Kathleen Thompson Norris
