Wring

/rɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

an act of wringing something.

With a final wring of the cloth, she was ready to mop up the spill.

verb

to twist and squeeze (something) to force out liquid.

After washing the clothes, she had to wring them out to remove the excess water.

to extract or obtain (something) from someone, often by using persuasion or pressure.

He managed to wring a promise from her that she would never leave.

to twist or contort (something) into a particular shape or position.

She wrung her hands nervously while waiting for the interview to start.

Middle English wringen, from Old English wringan.

wring one's hands

To display anxiety or distress.

wrung

The past tense of wring.

wrench

To pull or twist violently.

To extract or elicit information or a reaction from someone.

He really had to wring it out of her.