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wring

verb
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\ ˈriŋ How to pronounce wring (audio) \
wrung\ ˈrəŋ How to pronounce wrung (audio) \; wringing\ ˈriŋ-​iŋ How to pronounce wringing (audio) \

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
3a : 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
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Other Words from wring

wring noun

Synonyms for wring

Synonyms

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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 More than 60 percent of the movies studied contained torture, sometimes instrumental -- trying to wring out information -- and sometimes punitive. — al, "Alabama researchers find torture in movies of all kinds -- even cartoons," 10 Feb. 2020 Other researchers are trying to wring efficiencies at the back end of the process. — Eric Hand, Science | AAAS, "‘We need a people’s cryo-EM.’ Scientists hope to bring revolutionary microscope to the masses," 23 Jan. 2020 Broadway producers of theatrical work like to wait until every last dollar (or euro) is wrung out of touring productions before committing to a film. — Steven Zeitchik, Washington Post, "Will ‘Cats’ be a fresh Christmas phenomenon or the new ‘Snakes on a Plane?’," 18 Dec. 2019 Strasburg’s public face ranges from wooden to laconic to occasional bursts of engaged reticence, and so the Nationals’ provocateurs are determined to wring joy out of their 6-foot-5, 230-pound anchor. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "'Embrace it': Stephen Strasburg's legendary postseason hits its apex with gritty Game 2 win," 24 Oct. 2019 They’re both deflated on her couch, positively wrung out by their endless routine of secret-keeping and resentment, of pushing each other away and then being hurt anew by the distance. — Margaret Lyons, New York Times, "On ‘Couples Therapy,’ Domestic Angst is Raw and Delicious," 5 Sep. 2019 Slide the mop head up and twist to wring out the water. — Billy Cadden, Popular Science, "The best cleaning products to freshen up your home," 21 Mar. 2018 Almadhoun was impressed that the Nike suit’s nylon fabric shed water immediately upon emerging from the pool, without any need to wring it out or pull fabric away from her body. — Christina Binkley, The New Yorker, "Nike Takes the Plunge Into Modest Swimwear," 9 Dec. 2019 For all the hand-wringing about a four-team Playoff versus having eight teams — and, indeed, there’s a good argument for expansion — a deserving team has rarely been left out. — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, "After all the bluster about mayhem, College Football Playoff turns out to be quite simple," 8 Dec. 2019

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.

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First Known Use of wring

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

History and Etymology for 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

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Time Traveler for wring

Time Traveler

The first known use of wring was before the 12th century

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Statistics for wring

Last Updated

16 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Wring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wring. Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for wring

wring

verb
How to pronounce wring (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of wring

: 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

See the full definition for wring in the English Language Learners Dictionary

wring

verb
\ ˈriŋ How to pronounce wring (audio) \
wrung\ ˈrəŋ \; wringing

Kids Definition of wring

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on wring

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wring

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with wring

Spanish Central: Translation of wring

Nglish: Translation of wring for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of wring for Arabic Speakers

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