monkey-wrencher
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
An activist who sabotages operations perceived as harmful to the natural environment.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Howie Wolke, an Earth First! founder and frequent monkey-wrencher, thought "conventional tactics" and "non-violent direct action" were worthwhile techniques for environmentalists.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “monkey-wrencher” mean?
An activist who sabotages operations perceived as harmful to the natural environment.
Is “monkey-wrencher” formal or informal?
monkey-wrencher is generally slang.