wring🔊

To squeeze or twist (something moist) tightly so that liquid is forced out.

To squeeze water from (an item of wet clothing) by passing through a wringer.

(also figuratively) To extract (a liquid) from something wet by squeezing, twisting, or otherwise putting pressure on it.

(also figuratively) To hold (someone or something) tightly and press or twist; to wrest. +

To clasp and twist (hands) together due to distress, sorrow, etc.

To bend or strain (something) out of its position; to wrench, to wrest.

To contort or screw up (the face or its features).

To twist or wind (something) into coils; to coil.

Of a thing (such as footwear): to pinch or press (a person or part of their body), causing pain.

(archaic or British, dialectal, also figuratively) To cause (someone or something) physical harm, injury, or pain; specifically, by applying pressure or by twisting; to harm, to hurt, to injure. +

(figuratively) To cause (tears) to come out from a person or their eyes.

(figuratively) To cause distress or pain to (a person or their heart, soul, etc.); to distress, to torment.

(figuratively) To obtain (something) from or out of a person or thing by extortion or other force.

(figuratively) To use effort to draw (a response, words, etc.) from or out of someone; to generate (something) as a response.

(figuratively, obsolete) To afflict or oppress (someone) to enforce compliance; to extort.

(figuratively, obsolete) To cause (someone) to do something or to think a certain way.

(figuratively, obsolete) To change (something) into another thing.

(figuratively, obsolete) To give (teachings, words, etc.) an incorrect meaning; to twist, to wrest.

(figuratively) To put (oneself) in a position by cunning or subtle means; to insinuate.

(materials science) To slide (two ultraflat surfaces) together such that their faces bond.

To be engaged in clasping and twisting (especially the hands), or exerting pressure.

To twist the body in or as if in pain; to writhe.

(figuratively) To contend, to struggle; also, to strive, to toil.

(figuratively) To experience distress, pain, punishment, etc.

(mining) Of a lode: to be depleted of ore; to peter or peter out.

(obsolete) To make a way out with difficulty.

(also figuratively) A powerful squeezing or twisting action.

(dated) The product of wringing, such as cider or wine.

(obsolete) A sharp physical pain, especially in the abdomen; also, mental pain or distress.

(archaic) A device for compressing or pressing, especially for making cheese, cider from apples, or wine from grapes.