retch

American  

[rech] / rɛtʃ /

verb (used without object)

1. to make efforts to vomit.

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verb (used with object)

1. to vomit.

noun

1. the act or an instance of retching.

retch British  

/ riːtʃ, rɛtʃ /

verb

1. (intr) to undergo an involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting; heave

2. to vomit

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noun

1. an involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting

Etymology

Origin of retch

1540–50; variant of reach, Old English hrǣc an to clear the throat (not recorded in ME), derivative of hrāca a clearing of the throat; compare Old Norse hrǣkja to hawk, spit

Example Sentences

Their smell made Christopher want to retch: it was like meat left in the sun for too long.

From Literature

“Oh God,” said Sue, and Akira turned away and retched into the road.

From Literature

"I can't stand them, like they make me dry retch. So if it was a cane toad, it would have scared me."

From BBC

Earlier, while cleaning one resident's room, I found myself retching because of the smell, unable to stay for longer than 20 seconds.

From BBC

When she wasn’t retching, she lay her head in her boyfriend’s lap.

From Salon

Related Words

• breathe
• exhale
• groan
• huff
• puff
• spew
• vomit