writhing
Americanadjective
-
twisting about or squirming, as from pain, violent effort, uncontrolled passion, etc..
I saw a big red-tailed hawk carry a writhing blacksnake across the sky.
-
feeling or expressing acute mental discomfort or distress.
His words were a writhing mix of anger and confusion and he didn't spare her any of it.
noun
-
an act or instance of twisting about or squirming.
The writhing of these fly larvae around their food looks rather strange, but it turns out there's a reason for their wriggling.
-
the state of feeling or act of expressing acute mental discomfort or distress.
Perpetual fear and mistrust, inner pain, or the writhing of conscience may render a human existence worse than death.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of writhing
First recorded in 1350–1400; writh(e) ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; writh(e) ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun senses
Explanation
Writhing is a snake- or worm-like movement — a rolling and twisting motion, like your writhing brother who can't stand to have his feet tickled. When you picture a wreath, you probably think of a festive decoration hanging on someone's front door. So it might surprise you that this word shares its origin with writhing, a word that often describes a reaction to pain or extreme discomfort. The wreathes of today are rings — originally, a wreath was a bandage that wrapped around and around. Writhing is also a rolling, or circular motion.
Vocabulary lists containing writhing
Stargirl
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"Uprising," Vocabulary from the historical novel
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The Dragonet Prophecy
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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.
Across the globe, Florence is wrenching Freddie from writhing on the floor to buck him up for the imminent match.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025
James Garfield’s assassination in 1881 involved 79 days of writhing medical purgatory.
From Slate • Aug. 9, 2024
His writhing and flailing, verbally as well as bodily, serve as the 11 o’clock number.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 1, 2024
Strips of sticky paper are dangling from the ceiling, writhing with trapped and dying flies.
From BBC • Jul. 21, 2024
Jak and Oz fell to the ground, rolling and writhing.
From "Orphan Island" by Laurel Snyder
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
