wring

USAGE SUMMARY

'wring' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as both a verb and a noun. Example: She wrung the wet towel out as best she could.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When confronted by the gruesome reality of life for some of society's most vulnerable and damaged (not to mention violent and damaging) young people, there is a temptation to wring one's hands and say: "Well, what can you do?" In this case, the answer is clear and compelling.

The Guardian - Opinion

The G7 will wring its hands but do nothing.

The Guardian - Business

Rae Street Manchester The election result and its welcome from those responsible recalls the quote by Robert Walpole on the eve of war with the Spanish in 1739: "They now ring the bells, but they will soon wring their hands".

The Guardian

Storey said: "They want, like Pontius Pilate, to wring their hands, to almost cleanse their consciences that somehow they had not signed the dotted line.

The Guardian

None of which has done Clegg much good because he has managed to insist he is right ("quite brave, bold and socially progressive"), but also to wring his hands defensively about ditching party policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead all was geared towards those 10 back-to-back Test Matches against Australia, a piece of scheduling that helped wring the last dregs from a fine England team, while also scotching the current World Cup and dulling the precious allure of the Ashes itself.

The Guardian - Sport

While religious conservatives wring their hands in a gesture of concern, the black irony of the whole debacle is that their pathological fixation on sexuality stigmatises the very youth they ostensibly care for.

The Guardian

If it is looking too tricky to get Berlin to increase the British rebate, or to wring privileged fishing rights from Madrid, then you can still be seen as battling bravely on the continent if you beat up on "unelected European judges".

The Guardian - Opinion

To some, neglecting to wring one's hands the requisite number of times whenever the word 'gene' is heard is a heinous crime; to others it is an equal affront to suggest that biology might limit free will.

The Guardian

As efforts to develop new classes of drugs have faltered, drug-firm bosses have squeezed their businesses to wring extra profits from existing products.

The Economist

African governments must not wring so much out of their resources today that the mining companies fail to invest for the future.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wring" in the context of emotions (e.g. "wring their hands"), ensure it appropriately conveys anxiety, distress, or helplessness. This idiom is particularly effective in describing political or social inaction.

Common error

Avoid using "wring" to describe general squeezing actions when a more appropriate verb like "squeeze" would suffice. "Wring" implies a twisting motion to remove liquid or to extract something with force, and using it loosely can dilute its specific meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wring" is a verb, denoting an action of squeezing, twisting, or extracting something forcefully. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable word. Examples include "wring the water from a cloth" or "wring concessions."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wring" is a versatile verb with a range of applications, both literal and figurative. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its core meaning revolves around forceful extraction or twisting, often conveying a sense of difficulty or coercion. While suitable for various registers, its usage is most prominent in news, media, and formal business contexts. Remember to use "wring" when the action involves squeezing or twisting something to remove liquid or to extract something with significant effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

squeeze out

Focuses on the action of extracting something by applying pressure.

extract by force

Emphasizes the forceful nature of obtaining something.

twist and compress

Highlights the physical action of twisting and squeezing.

press tightly

Focuses on the application of pressure to remove liquid.

coerce

Implies obtaining something against someone's will.

extort

Highlights obtaining something through threats or pressure.

wrench

Suggests a sudden, forceful twisting motion.

contort

Focuses on twisting something out of its normal shape.

distort

Implies twisting something to misrepresent it.

gouge

Emphasizes extracting something in a brutal, forceful way, sometimes causing damage.

FAQs

How can I use "wring" in a sentence?

You can use "wring" to describe squeezing liquid from something, as in "She wrung out the wet cloth". Figuratively, it can mean to extract something with effort, like "He tried to wring information from her". It can also mean to twist one's hands in distress.

What does it mean to "wring one's hands"?

To "wring one's hands" is an idiom that means to show distress or anxiety, often in a way that seems helpless or ineffectual. It implies worry without taking effective action.

What are some synonyms for "wring"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "wring" include "squeeze out", "extract by force", "coerce", or "extort".

Is it correct to say "wrung" as the past tense of "wring"?

Yes, "wrung" is the past tense and past participle of "wring". For example, "She wrung the water from her hair" or "The truth was wrung from him".