wronging

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitiveformal

   Present participle of 'wrong': treating someone unfairly or harming them.

   Grammar: Used after be or as a participle: 'He is wronging her.' It takes an object.

   Patterns

   • wronging someone

   She felt that her boss was wronging her by ignoring her ideas.

   He accused the company of wronging its workers by cutting their pay.

   They believe they are wronging no one by following the law.

2. 2nouncountableformal

   An act of treating someone unfairly or causing them harm.

   Grammar: Often used in formal or legal contexts: 'a wronging', 'the wrongings of the past'.

   Patterns

   • a wronging of someone
   • the wrongings of the past

   The report detailed the wrongings suffered by the community over many years.

   She spoke about the wronging of innocent people and demanded justice.

   He saw the decision as a personal wronging that he could not forgive.

Word forms

Common combinations

wronging someone

He was accused of wronging his business partner.

a wronging of

The novel tells of the wronging of a young servant.

feel wronged

Many employees felt wronged by the sudden change.

right a wronging

The new law aims to right a wronging that lasted for decades.

Synonyms and how they differ

mistreating

Focuses on cruel or harsh treatment, while 'wronging' is broader and often about injustice.

injuring

Usually refers to physical harm; 'wronging' is more about unfairness or moral harm.

oppressing

Suggests a system of unfair control; 'wronging' can be a single act.

Opposites

Word family

wrong adjective

Not correct or not fair.

wrongly adverb

In a way that is not correct or fair.

wrongful adjective

Unfair or illegal, especially in legal contexts.

wrongdoer noun

A person who does something wrong or illegal.

Commonly confused: wronging or wrong?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “wronging”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words