Definitions

put through the wringer

Jump To:

ask v.
browbeat v.
debrief v.
examine v.
interrogate v.
question v.

VERB

ask

Synonyms

STRONGEST

challenge demand inquire quiz request

STRONG

buzz canvass catechize direct enjoin examine grill hit institute interrogate investigate needle pump query roast sweat

WEAK

cross-examine give the third degree go over hunt for pick one's brains pop the question pry into put the screws to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

answer reply

STRONG

ignore

WEAK

claim command disinvite insist repudiate tell

VERB

browbeat

Synonyms

STRONGEST

badger bully coerce harass hector intimidate lean on oppress

STRONG

bludgeon bluster bulldoze cow domineer dragoon frighten overawe overbear threaten tyrannize

WEAK

despotize lord it over put heat on put the chill on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist help leave alone

WEAK

boost coax compliment praise

VERB

debrief

Synonyms

STRONGEST

interrogate

STRONG

examine grill interview investigate probe quiz

WEAK

ask questions cross-examine gather intelligence give the third degree work over

Antonyms

STRONG

answer

VERB

examine

Synonyms

STRONGEST

check measure try

STRONG

catechize experiment grill inquire interrogate judge pump query quiz weigh

WEAK

cross-examine give the third give the third degree try out

Antonyms

STRONG

answer reply

VERB

interrogate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

examine grill investigate query quiz

STRONG

catechize inquire pump question roast

WEAK

cross-examine cross-question give the third degree go over put the screws to sweat out work over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

answer reply

VERB

question

Synonyms

STRONGEST

challenge examine grill interrogate interview investigate query quiz search seek

STRONG

catechize enquire hit inquire petition probe pry pump quest solicit

WEAK

ask about cross-examine give the third degree go over hit up hold out for make inquiry pick one's brains put to the question raise question show curiosity sound out sweat it out of work over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

answer reply

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

put through the wringer

I left the theater feeling giddily put through the wringer by its contrarian depictions of heroes and fiends.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

To say Reilly's character has been put through the wringer would be an understatement.

From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2024

In Amazon’s Packaging Innovation Lab — a 10,000-square-foot facility in a complex of Amazon buildings in Sumner — packages are put through the wringer.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 11, 2023

But in order to give Clinton a hard time, more women must be put through the wringer.

From Salon ● Oct. 6, 2021

Such being the case, the sheets can be evenly and carefully folded and put through the wringer, which will give them a certain smoothness.

From The Complete Home by Clara E. (Clara Elizabeth) Laughlin

put through the wringer

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words