wrest control of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wrest control of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that somebody is trying to take control of something from somebody else. For example: "In the fierce power struggle, the new CEO is trying to wrest control of the company from the previous owner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In foreign policy, Pakistan seeks to subdue Afghanistan and wrest control of Indian Kashmir.

Yale University

"Our main function here is to wrest control of the country from Saddam," said Brig.

The New York Times

I'd be off to Germany to wrest control of the future of Europe from the Bundesbank.

The New York Times

Tammany tried fruitlessly to wrest control of The Times by trying to buy shares.

The New York Times

Beamer and other passengers decided to take on the hijackers and wrest control of the plane.

The Guardian

If it does, Citigroup could wrest control of EMI and sell it off once again.

The New York Times

2006 The Malkins wrest control of the property from Helmsley-Spear.

The New York Times

Users could wrest control of their own computing from central IT departments.

The Economist

The operation to wrest control of Marjah took a force of 15,000.

Independent

But he was unable to wrest control of Harrod's from the Fayeds, who continue to own and manage it.

The New York Times

İnce now appears a powerful enough figure to wrest control of the CHP in the wake of the race.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about power dynamics or conflicts, consider "wrest control of" to highlight the contentious nature of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "wrest control of" in situations where control is simply being transferred without conflict. More neutral terms like "take control of" or "assume responsibility for" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wrest control of" functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe an action where someone forcefully or strategically takes authority or command from another party. It's employed to depict situations where control is contested or challenged, which is demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wrest control of" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of forcefully or strategically taking command or authority from another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is applicable across various contexts, with a higher prevalence in news, academic, and wiki environments. The phrase's purpose is to emphasize struggle or effort, indicating that the control acquisition involves overcoming resistance. While its register leans towards neutral to formal, it avoids excessive technicality. When using the phrase, remember to apply it where a genuine contest for power exists, avoiding overuse in simple transfer-of-control situations. Alternatives like "seize control of" or "gain control over" may better suit less contentious scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Seize control of

Implies a sudden and forceful taking of control, often in a more abrupt manner than "wrest control of".

Take command of

Focuses on assuming a position of leadership or authority, often in a military or hierarchical context.

Gain control over

Emphasizes the process of acquiring control, suggesting a gradual or incremental shift in power.

Secure control of

Focuses on ensuring that control is maintained or protected, suggesting a need for vigilance or defense.

Obtain control of

Suggests acquiring control through effort or negotiation, rather than force.

Acquire control of

Highlights the process of coming into possession of control, often in a business or legal context.

Assume authority over

Highlights the act of formally taking on a position of power or responsibility.

Grab control of

Implies a quick and possibly opportunistic taking of control.

Establish dominance over

Suggests asserting a position of superiority or control, often through force or influence.

Usurp control of

Indicates taking control illegitimately or by force, often implying a violation of existing authority.

FAQs

What does "wrest control of" mean?

The phrase "wrest control of" means to forcefully or with difficulty take control of something from someone else, implying a struggle or resistance.

What can I say instead of "wrest control of"?

You can use alternatives like "seize control of", "take command of", or "gain control over" depending on the context.

Is "wrest control of" formal or informal?

"Wrest control of" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly when describing power dynamics or conflict situations. It's less appropriate for casual conversation.

How to use "wrest control of" in a sentence?

Example: "The rebel forces attempted to "wrest control of" the capital city from the government." It demonstrates the act of forcefully taking power amidst conflict.