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
Make sure to wring out excess liquid from a wipe before cleaning the area.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
For the past several years, writers and pundits have been wringing their hands over how few men are supposedly writing and reading fiction today.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
And then there’s the Nissan Versa that comes standard with a manual gearbox as a way to both maintain its standing as the most-affordable car in America, and to wring the most out of its tepid (though fuel-efficient) 122-horsepower engine.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
But after logging three and half miles through Miami one sweltering evening this week, members wrung out sweaty shirts, chugged ice water and welcomed a soaking rain shower at the finish line.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wring
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
For the past several years, writers and pundits have been wringing their hands over how few men are supposedly writing and reading fiction today.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
And then there’s the Nissan Versa that comes standard with a manual gearbox as a way to both maintain its standing as the most-affordable car in America, and to wring the most out of its tepid (though fuel-efficient) 122-horsepower engine.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
But after logging three and half miles through Miami one sweltering evening this week, members wrung out sweaty shirts, chugged ice water and welcomed a soaking rain shower at the finish line.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wring
Cite this Entry
“Wring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wring. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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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