wrench
verb (used with object)
to twist suddenly and forcibly; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist.
were wrenching
-
past progressiveof wrench.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Although these changes were wrenching for many workers, they usually occurred slowly enough for new sources of employment to absorb them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2025
The separations were wrenching for families that had survived intense violence in Sudan and could see Egypt just over the crossing but had to leave their sons behind.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 28, 2023
Her daughter was in the custody of a relative, and their visits were wrenching.
From The New Yorker ● Oct. 29, 2018
The cries of the wounded elephant — still on its feet — were wrenching.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2017
They were wrenching, sometimes astonishing, an electronic outpouring of breathtaking anger and compassion.
From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz
