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
wring
noun
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
Her sometimes slacker, sometimes twee rock takes recurring major sevenths and wrings them for all their existential meaning.
—
Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
That is what Emma is doing in this scene by talking to Mark, looking at the floor demurely, and wringing her hands precisely three (3) times.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Re-wet and wring out the sponge as needed.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 16 Mar. 2026
The geographic shift into lower-wage regions of Indonesia shows one way Nike can try to wring more profit from its vast supply chain.
—Rob Davis, ProPublica, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wring
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
That is what Emma is doing in this scene by talking to Mark, looking at the floor demurely, and wringing her hands precisely three (3) times.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Re-wet and wring out the sponge as needed.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 16 Mar. 2026
The geographic shift into lower-wage regions of Indonesia shows one way Nike can try to wring more profit from its vast supply chain.
—Rob Davis, ProPublica, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wring
Cite this Entry
“Wring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wring. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wring
verb1
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
