wring

play

verb \ˈriŋ\

Definition of wring

wrung

play \ˈrəŋ\;

wringing

play \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
3a : to twist so as to strain or sprain into a distorted shape I could wring your neckb : 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

See wring defined for English-language learners

See wring defined for kids

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 of wring from the Web

And then there is the type wherein the writer seems to infuse living energy into words as the reader is spun, wrung, and hung out to dry.

— julie ma, The Cut, "25 Famous Women on Their Favorite Books", 6 July 2017
Among other things, he was known for reading the humidity by wringing out a wet rag.

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "1959: Morgus the Magnificent premieres on New Orleans TV", 5 July 2017
The woman then mimicked wringing the neck of Shkreli, who was sitting a dozen or so feet away, but likely couldn't hear her words to the judge, prosecutors and defense lawyers.

— jay willis, GQ, "Martin Shkreli’s Jury Selection Is Going Poorly Because Everyone Already Hates Him", 27 June 2017
The drug could wring in more than $300 million in yearly sales by 2020, according to some analysts.

— Fortune, "Brainstorm Health Daily: June 26, 2017", 26 June 2017
Beyond stepping up the pace of movies, the studio wrings revenue from a vast assortment of businesses, including merchandising, toys and theme-park rides.

— brian lowry, CNN, "Han Solo movie split shows franchise directors face long odds", 26 June 2017
Half the Internet is laughing, the other half is wringing its hands.

— amanda carpenter, Cosmopolitan, "Why Steve Bannon Can Fat-Shame His Colleague", 20 June 2017
There are no fevered tweets, no hand-wringing on her behalf.

— sarah jones, New Republic, "Where is the outrage for Keeanga Yamahtta-Taylor?", 2 June 2017
The unabashed drug warrior is now armed with a broad mandate to review departmental policies, and observers already worried about Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ agenda are wringing their hands at Cook’s ascension.

— sadie gurman, The Seattle Times, "Work as cop molded view of prosecutor key to US crime review", 29 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wring'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology 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

NEW!

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

WRING Defined for English Language Learners

wring

play

verb

Definition of wring for English Language Learners

: to twist and squeeze (wet cloth, hair, etc.) to remove water
: to get (something) out of someone or something with a lot of effort
: to twist and break (an animal's neck) in order to kill the animal

WRING Defined for Kids

wring

play

verb \ˈriŋ\

Definition of wring for Students

wrung

\ˈrəŋ\;

wringing

1 : to twist or press so as to squeeze out moisture Wring out your bathing suit.
2 : to get by or as if by twisting or pressing Police wrung a confession from the criminal.
3 : to twist with a forceful or violent motion He wrung the chicken's neck.
4 : to affect as if by wringing The bad news wrung our hearts.
5 : to twist (hands) together as a sign of anguish