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

• exact
• extort
• wrest

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

Biden’s debate performance has Hollywood insiders wringing their hands about his presidential candidacy and what to do next. —Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2024

This on-sale four-pack of cooling towel is activated by rinsing the microfiber mesh in water, wringing it out, and placing it on areas of your body that need a good cool down. —Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2024

August is the worst parts of summer concentrated and then wrung out over the course of more than four sweaty, sticky weeks. —Bryan Walsh, Vox, 1 July 2024

Haggard and Noland substantiate their arguments with empirical data on North Korea’s authoritarian political structure, autarkic policies, opportunistic and often illicit foreign trade, and ability to wring aid and investment not only from China but also from South Korea. —Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017

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

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