wring

wring

verb \ˈriŋ\

wrung \ˈrəŋ\ wring·ing \ˈriŋ-iŋ\

Definition of WRING

transitive verb

1

: to squeeze or twist especially so as to make dry or to extract moisture or liquid <wring a towel dry>

2

: to extract or obtain by or as if by twisting and compressing <wring water from a towel> <wring a confession from the suspect>

3

a : to twist so as to strain or sprain into a distorted shape <I could wring your neck>

b : to twist together (clasped hands) as a sign of anguish

4

: to affect painfully as if by wringing : torment <a tragedy that wrings the heart>

intransitive verb

: squirm, writhe

— wring noun

Examples of WRING

1. I wrung the towel and hung it up to dry.
2. I wrung my hair and wrapped it in a towel.

Origin of WRING

Middle English, from Old English wringan; akin to Old High German ringan to struggle, Lithuanian rengtis to bend down, Old English wyrgan to strangle — more at worry

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WRING

Synonyms

exact, wrest, extort

Related Words

bleed, fleece, gouge, milk, skin, squeeze; cheat, gyp, racketeer, swindle; coerce, compel, force

Near Antonyms

implant, insert, install, instill; cram, jam, ram, stuff, wedge

Rhymes with WRING

bring, Ching, cling, ding, fling, king, ling, Ming, ping, ring, sing, sling, spring, sting, string, swing, thing, wing, zing