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View synonyms for monkey wrench

monkey wrench

1

noun

  1. alsocalledcomma especially British, adjustable spanner. a wrench having an adjustable jaw permitting it to grasp nuts or the like of different sizes.
  2. something that interferes with functioning; obstacle:

    He threw a monkey wrench into our plans.



monkey-wrench

2

[ muhng-kee-rench ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to ruin (plans, a schedule, etc.) unavoidably or, sometimes, deliberately:

    The storm monkey-wrenched our plans for a picnic.

verb (used without object)

  1. to prevent, delay, or sabotage industrialization or development of wilderness areas, especially through vandalism.

monkey wrench

noun

  1. a wrench with adjustable jaws
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Other Words From

  • monkey-wrencher noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of monkey wrench1

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of monkey wrench2

First recorded in 1800–10
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Example Sentences

The conservative justices threw a monkey wrench into the case with their opinion granting broad presidential immunity from prosecution, working through the implications of which will take at least another year.

But even in areas that typically don't face powerful storms, wildfires or floods, climate change is throwing intense monkey wrenches into what is expected.

From Salon

A monkey wrench in all this is the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which became law in June to thwart the federal government defaulting on its debt.

One potential monkey wrench for the dollar, however, may be lurking in Japan.

From Reuters

They could throw a monkey wrench into the federal effort to prosecute Trump for his most serious crimes before the 2024 election.

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