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1. Causing great physical or mental suffering
   "a wrenching pain"
   - racking

1. Twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates
   "wrench a window off its hinges"; "wrench oneself free from somebody's grip"; "a deep sigh was wrenched from his chest"
   - twist
    
2. Make a sudden twisting motion
    
3. Twist and compress, as if in pain or anguish
   - wring
    
4. Twist suddenly so as to sprain
   "wrench one's ankle"
   - twist, sprain, turn, wrick, rick

See also: painful

Type of: distort, injure, pull, squirm, twine, twist, worm, wound, wrestle, wriggle, writhe

Encyclopedia: Wrench