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wrest Definition

wrest (rest)

transitive verb

  1. to turn or twist; esp., to pull or force away violently with a twisting motion
  2. to take or extract by force; usurp; extort; wring
  3. to distort or change the true meaning, purpose, use, etc. of; pervert; twist

Etymology: ME wresten < OE wræstan, to twist violently, akin to ON reista < IE base *wer-, to turn, bend, twist > writhe

noun

the act of wresting; a twist; wrench

wrest Related Forms
wrester noun
wrest Usage Examples

Object

  • control: However wresting control from them, with their colonial backing, proved a costly struggle.
  • secret: Their reward was in the knowledge of work well done and secrets wrested from Nature to enrich mankind.
  • power: Exploiting the latter, the bureaucracy wrested the power from the hands of mass organizations.
  • initiative: Unfortunately the comeback was short lived as the Eagles wrested back the initiative.
  • title: Is World Champion Cassie Campion ready to wrest the title from Leilani Joyce?
  • judgment: This is called wresting judgment since the more knowledgeable judge is more expert, and can better apply his broader knowledge to each case.

Preposition: from

  • enemy: The Albert Ridge we wrested from the enemy in the Battle of the Somme.
  • hand: Over the course of human history, the world has been slowly wrested from the hands of the Hieronymi by the Voltaires.
  • taxpayer: It throws in more money, wrested from the taxpayer, to employ more managers.

Modifies a noun

  • plank: The wrest plank is let into the cheek and spine case sides and the glued joint is secured with nails.

Modifying Another Word

  • back: How do we wrest back control of sex from the advertisers?
  • away: The St George's cross has now been firmly wrested away from the far right.
  • not: The momentum had now shifted, and try as she might, Grinham could not wrest it back.
  • finally: He gained control of the whole of northern England and finally wrested control of Bernicia from the Anglo-Saxons in 916.
  • successfully: For example, Joshua 12 is viewed as a list of those kings whose holdings were successfully wrested from them.
  • slowly: Over the course of human history, the world has been slowly wrested from the hands of the Hieronymi by the Voltaires.

Noun used with modifier

  • palm: The paint is wearing out on the touchpad and palm wrests.

Browse dictionary entries near wrest

  1. wrench
  2. wren
  3. wrecking bar
  4. wrecking
  5. wrecker
  6. wrecked
  7. wreckage
  8. wreck
  9. wreathe
  10. wreath
  1. wrestle
  2. wrestler
  3. wrestling
  4. wrestling match
  5. wretch
  6. wretched
  7. wretchedness
  8. wrick
  9. wriggle
  10. wriggler