wring

verb

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

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
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
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.
Managing complex data flows, and wringing business value from them, is the business challenge of our time. Serge Lucio, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 Procuring one can be so difficult that many organizations end up either picking the wrong one or trying to wring the last bit of use from an outdated system. Brian Haines, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 When you're finished, allow the comforter to soak for about 20 minutes before gently flat-pressing out excess water—twisting or wringing it out will cause clumps to form. Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025 Brazilian pundits have wrung their hands about the lack of connection between the national team and the public for years, maybe even decades. Jack Lang, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wring

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wring. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

wring

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

More from Merriam-Webster on wring

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