Illustration of monkey wrench
- monkey wrench 1
monkey wrench
noun
1
: a wrench with one fixed and one adjustable jaw at right angles to a straight handle
2
: something that disrupts
threw a monkey wrench into the peace negotiations
Examples of monkey wrench in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Here are some real monkey wrenches in the works of the economy.
—
Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst for North and South America, S&P Global Mobility
Despite an electric boom year in 2022, some analysts are downgrading forecasts of EV adoption, due to monkey wrenches of unpredictable demand, looming recession and supply-chain issues.
—IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2023
Scull would like to throw a major monkey wrench into all of those plans.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
His request for a presidential meeting flopped, becoming the latest example of a dramatic personal style that was once integral to his nation’s struggle but now looks more like a monkey wrench in dealing with the Trump administration.
—Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monkey wrench
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Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst for North and South America, S&P Global Mobility
Despite an electric boom year in 2022, some analysts are downgrading forecasts of EV adoption, due to monkey wrenches of unpredictable demand, looming recession and supply-chain issues.
—IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2023
Scull would like to throw a major monkey wrench into all of those plans.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
His request for a presidential meeting flopped, becoming the latest example of a dramatic personal style that was once integral to his nation’s struggle but now looks more like a monkey wrench in dealing with the Trump administration.
—Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monkey wrench
Cite this Entry
“Monkey wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monkey%20wrench. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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