wring
wring Lexical Profile
wring Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To squeeze and twist a wet cloth or other material tightly in order to force liquid out of it.
"After washing the heavy wool sweater by hand, gently wring out the excess water before laying it flat to dry."
To clasp and twist one's hands together repeatedly as an expression of distress, anxiety, or grief.
"He stood pacing the waiting room, nervously beginning to wring his hands while awaiting news from the surgeon."
To obtain or extract something from someone only with great effort, persistence, or pressure.
"The investigative journalist managed to wring a reluctant admission from the spokesperson after hours of questioning."
To cause severe emotional pain, distress, or pity in someone.
"The poignant letters written by the displaced families were enough to wring the hearts of everyone at the conference."
• noun
An act of squeezing, twisting, or pressing something tightly, especially to remove liquid.
"She gave the wet dishcloth a quick wring before wiping down the kitchen counter."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'wring' (to twist or squeeze, with past tense 'wrung') with its homophone 'ring' (to make a bell sound or encircle, with past tense 'rang' or 'ringed').
• Rhymes for wring
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'wringan', meaning to twist, squeeze, or press out, originating from the Proto-Germanic root '*wringana', which also gave rise to the German 'ringen' (to wrestle or struggle).