verrenken

Definition & meaning

verrenken is a verb meaning to dislocate or wrench a joint, often through an awkward movement. In everyday use, it can also describe twisting or contorting part of the body.

In the reflexive form sich verrenken, it means to contort oneself or to twist one’s body into an awkward position. Figuratively, it can mean to bend over backwards or to twist one’s reasoning to achieve or justify something.

Grammar & Word origin

• Verb: verrenken
• Past tense: verrenkte
• Past participle: verrenkt
• Auxiliary verb: haben
• Reflexive form: sich verrenken
• Word parts: ver- + renken (“to manipulate or set a joint”)

The prefix ver- forms a verb suggesting a change or incorrect movement. In modern German, verrenken is conjugated regularly.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• ausrenken ↗ — to dislocate a joint; often more specifically means that a joint has been moved out of its socket.
• auskugeln ↗ — to dislocate a joint, especially a ball-and-socket joint; more medically specific.
• sich verbiegen ↗ — to bend or twist oneself; figuratively, to compromise one’s principles. It does not necessarily imply an injury.

Antonym:

• einrenken ↗ — to put a dislocated joint back into place, so it is an antonym specifically in the sense of verrenken as “to dislocate.” There is no exact general antonym for the other meanings.

Common phrases & collocations

• sich den Arm verrenken ↗ — to wrench or dislocate one’s arm
• sich den Rücken verrenken ↗ — to wrench one’s back
• sich den Hals verrenken ↗ — to twist one’s neck
• sich verrenken, um etwas zu sehen ↗ — to contort oneself to see something
• sich nach etwas verrenken ↗ — to stretch or twist oneself to reach for something