Definition
To forcefully take or seize something from someone, often by grappling or twisting.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Verb
Synonyms
seize, snatch, grab, take, wrench
Antonyms
give, offer, release, relinquish, surrender
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | wrester, wresters |
| Verb | wrest, wresting, wrests, wrested |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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The two wrestlers were locked in a fierce battle, each trying to wrest control of the match from the other.
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The thief wrested the purse from the woman’s grasp and ran off down the street.
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The security guard tried to wrest the knife from the robber’s hand before he could hurt anyone else.
-
It was difficult to watch as she tried to wrest control of the situation, but her efforts only seemed to make things worse.
Usage
The verb “wrest” typically describes a physical struggle or contest in which one party tries to take control or possession of something from the other. It often involves grappling or twisting actions, such as in wrestling or jiu-jitsu. However, the term can also be used metaphorically to describe any kind of struggle or effort to gain control or overcome obstacles.
The word “wrest” can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in sports, business, or everyday life. For example, a football team might have to wrest control of the ball from their opponents to score a goal, or a company might have to wrestle with financial challenges to stay profitable. In a personal context, someone might have to wrestle with their own fears or doubts to achieve their goals.
The word “wrest” comes from the Old English word “wrǣstan”, which meant “to twist or bend”. The term has several related forms, including “wrestle”, “wrestler”, and “wrestling”. It can also be combined with prefixes and suffixes to create new words, such as “outwrest” (to defeat someone in a wrestling match) and “unwrest” (to release or relinquish something).