wring

verb

ˈriŋ 

wrung ˈrəŋ  ; wringing ˈriŋ-iŋ 

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

Synonyms of wring

• extort
• squeeze
• wrest
• exact

Examples of wring in a Sentence

I wrung the towel and hung it up to dry.

I wrung my hair and wrapped it in a towel.

Recent Examples on the Web

Season four is the most enjoyable The Gilded Age has ever been, but wringing every ounce of pleasure out of the experience requires a willingness to approach this show with the right mind-set. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

The electricity had been gone for hours and the summer heat wrung sweat out of everyone in the room. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Centrist Democrats have wrung their hands about the potential vulnerabilities of left-wing candidates like El-Sayed running in battleground states, and El-Sayed has been straining to unite the Democratic base in Michigan. — New York Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, the film works to wring out a tear, occasionally squeezing too hard, but earning several sad sighs of recognition. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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 the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing wring

• wring dry
• wring one's hands
• wring someone's neck

Rhymes for wring

• bing
• bring
• ching
• cling
• ding
• fling
• ging
• hing
• jing
• kling
• ling
• ming

Kids Definition

wring

verb

ˈriŋ 

wrung ˈrəŋ  ; wringing ˈriŋ-iŋ 

1

: to squeeze or twist especially so as to make dry or to rid of moisture or liquid

wring wet clothes

2

: to get by or as if by twisting or pressing

wring the truth out of them

3

: to twist into an unnatural shape or appearance with a forcible or violent motion

wring a chicken's neck

4

: to cause pain to as if by wringing : torment

their troubles wrung our hearts