wringer

American  

[ring-er] / ˈrɪŋ ər /

noun

1. an apparatus or machine for squeezing liquid out of anything wet, such as a pair of rollers between which an article of wet clothing may be squeezed.

2. a painful, difficult, or tiring experience; ordeal.

   Their years-long disagreement was an emotional wringer that hurt them both deeply.

3. a person or thing that wrings.

   My father is a real worrier—a wringer of hands and a pacer of floors.

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idioms

1. through the wringer,

   1. through acute suffering or hardship.

      He’s really been through the wringer with his child’s illness.

      A series of disasters put her family through the wringer financially.

   2. through rigorous testing, examination, or trial.

      Our numbers have been run through the wringer every which way, and it still looks like some cuts will be needed.

      Keep an eye out for a full review once we put this racing bike through the wringer.

wringer British  

/ ˈrɪŋə /

noun

1. another name for mangle 2

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wringer More Idioms  

1. see under put through (the wringer).

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Etymology

Origin of wringer

First recorded in 1250–1300; wring ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

All the greats have been through the wringer.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

These women have been through the wringer of romance, yet it’s rare to see them learn from these experiences.

From Salon • May 5, 2025

“Cronenberg takes these concerns that we all have and runs them through this fantastical wringer, so that we come to see ourselves in some new way,” says Lucca.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2024

He finally was cleared, but only after his reputation was put through a wringer.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

They can’t let a day go by without putting me through the wringer.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

Related Words

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• investigation
• query
• questioning