WRESTING Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

wresting 1 of 2

noun

as in twisting

a forceful rotating or pulling motion for the purpose of dislodging something no amount of wresting could loosen the rusted bolt

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wresting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wrest

as in pulling

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in extorting

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

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as in earning

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

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as in yanking

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

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as in grabbing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reattaching

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 wresting

Noun

In pitching his services, Prince discussed wresting control of gangs to allow major highways to reopen. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025

Verb

The state has passed a string of laws wresting power over local development away from local government. — Nico Rivero, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 The leader of the group, Lydell Henry, told our partners at the Baltimore Banner the fan group had so far raised $13,000 for his group, which teaches wresting and provides after-school support to low income youth. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 French police rounded up thousands of Jews over two days in July 1942, wresting children from their mothers’ arms and dispatching everyone to Nazi death camps. — Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 The Smithsonian Institution, which oversees twenty-one museums, among other establishments, operates independently from the executive branch of the government, which makes wresting control over it more difficult. — News Desk, Artforum, 15 July 2026 In his first bout at 170 pounds, Makhachev cruised to a decision win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November 2025, easily wresting the UFC welterweight crown from Della Maddalena. — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 But skeptics of Elliott’s plans say there is little precedent in the modern era of municipalities, or even states, wresting control from private for-profit utilities. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026 One can picture a similar relief for Veeze, wresting control from the internet, letting his unfazed facade crack even if for just a moment. — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026 Vegas withstood an early barrage and then completely took over, defeating the top-seeded Avalanche 4-2 and wresting home-ice advantage away. — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 21 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wresting

Noun

Early that morning, an Argentinean naval tug had been bombed by the British, destroying its communications systems.

— Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
The knitting process is portable and easy, but the structure also means a tug on one loose end can quickly unravel the whole project.

— Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of tug

Verb

Safe haven demand temporarily outweighed inflation fears, prompting capital to exit risk assets and flow into the Treasury market, thereby pulling yields lower.

— , CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Through July, O’Hare held a cash advantage of $707,000 to Simmons’s $67,000, with his campaign pulling $135,000 from oil and gas companies alone.

— Rachel Royster. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of pulling

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
He was accused of extorting private contractors for bribes between 2018 and 2021 in exchange for helping the companies keep and obtain work on school construction contracts.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of extorting

Verb

Thursday’s result, a 6-4 Brewers victory in Game 4, ended the Dodgers’ hopes of earning dynasty status.

— Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Michael Flynn was 28 and working towards earning his PHD in theoretical physics when the 30-foot-long dead tree limb fell over 27 feet onto him, fracturing his skull and changing his life forever.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of earning

Verb

Friday’s exhibition contest featured a 22-0 KU run in the first half, the Jayhawks responding to Pitt State grabbing an early 22-21 lead.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Keeping the shoes simple with a more eye-grabbing dress has been her outfit formula as of late.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabbing

Noun

While the collection draws inspiration from the brand’s past, elements have been retooled for a modern twist.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Rather than doing a literal adaptation, the creators kept the book’s DNA and tweaked the ideas of evil, temptation and power with a contemporary twist.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of twist

Verb

Or two birds face-to-face in close proximity, covering themselves with their wings as if to share a secret kiss away from prying eyes, could evoke a giggle.

— Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Davidson was thrust into a reality-TV world of prying paparazzi and untold media scrutiny.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of prying

Browse Nearby Words

wrested

wresting

wrestle

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Style

“Wresting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wresting. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of wresting

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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