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
At a time of uncertainty, many thinkers are not wringing their hands but moving forward.
—
Keith Collins, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2024
Hurricanes are particularly efficient at concentrating large quantities of water vapor and wringing it out at nearly unheard-of rates, as seen in the deluges in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area during Milton and in western North Carolina during Helene.
—Andrew Freedman, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024
Hanging over all of this is the increasing suspicion that the company may have wrung out the rag, creatively speaking, on storylines culled from Lucas’ original trilogy and his prequels.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Oct. 2024
Once again, interceptions were thrown, penalties called, runs stuffed and hands wrung.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wring 
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Keith Collins, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2024
Hurricanes are particularly efficient at concentrating large quantities of water vapor and wringing it out at nearly unheard-of rates, as seen in the deluges in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area during Milton and in western North Carolina during Helene.
—Andrew Freedman, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024
Hanging over all of this is the increasing suspicion that the company may have wrung out the rag, creatively speaking, on storylines culled from Lucas’ original trilogy and his prequels.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Oct. 2024
Once again, interceptions were thrown, penalties called, runs stuffed and hands wrung.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wring
Dictionary Entries Near wring
Cite this Entry
“Wring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wring. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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
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