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

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

Hanrahan, who has written about her experience, said there were wrenching moments of seeing children peeled from their mothers after visits.

From Washington Post • Jun. 9, 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