WREST Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

wrest

verb

ˈrest

Definition of wrest

as in to pry

to draw out by force or with effort the boy wrested the book out of his sister's hands

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to extort

to get (as money) by the use of force or threats vowed that the bully had wrested his lunch money from him for the last time

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to earn

to get with great difficulty farmers who were used to wresting a living from the harsh land

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to pull

to move by or as if by a forceful rotation I need a strong arm to wrest the lid off this pickle jar

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to grab

to separate or remove by forceful pulling wrested open the stuck door of the cabinet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reattach

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of wrest The report also stated that Saudi Arabia has ruled out negotiations until the strait has been wrested from Houthi control. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026 Colandrea rushed for a career-best 108 yards and used his legs to convert key third downs as the Huskers wrested control away from the Terps in the second and third quarters. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 The state has passed a string of laws wresting power over local development away from local government. — Nico Rivero, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Lawmakers are heading home at the end of the week to campaign nearly full-time, with less than 50 days to go before the elections that will determine control of Congress as Democrats try to wrest power from Republicans. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrest

Verb

Sellers who have the option to pull their listing off the market are generally doing so.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Many voters thank him for pulling Serbia from economic obscurity and orchestrating a period of sustained modernisation including new highways, railways, schools and hospitals.

— Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of pull

Verb

Among the new rackets were providing cheap workers to new industries, ruling the docks of large port cities, extorting money from trading companies, and working for political parties to intimidate rival voters.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Hill alleged school board members tried to extort her into resigning in a memo sent to the board ahead of her firing.

— Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of extort

Verb

The New York Red Bulls took advantage of an early own goal, added an Emil Forsberg score in second-half stoppage time and capitalized on a limited appearance by Lionel Messi to earn a crucial 2-0 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Prior to working in Hollywood, Atchity served as an assistant professor of English and comparative literature at Occidental College before earning tenure and becoming a full-time professor.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of earn

Verb

Finally, grab 32% off the Eufy E340 Security Video Doorbell with Chime, providing dual 2K cameras and color night vision.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
James scored 18 points, grabbed two rebounds and was a minus-22 going up against Paul Reed, and the 76ers were left to hope his presence at center was nothing more than a cameo.

— Dan Gelston, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of grab

Verb

Doctors can use catheters to enter blood vessels in the lungs and dissolve or extract the clots.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Heavy drones offer the advantages of speedy evacuation and potentially greater survivability for wounded soldiers, along with likely representing the only realistic option for extracting soldiers from dangerous frontline positions.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of extract

Verb

In an interview with Vogue at Cannes, Hoyeon described spending six months preparing for the action sequences, including firearms training, obtaining a stick-shift driving license, and learning stunt-driving techniques.

— Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
The Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands became sovereign countries, obtaining membership in the United Nations in September 1991.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of obtain

Browse Nearby Words

wrenching

wrest

wrested

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrest. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of wrest

verb

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