writhe
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
-
to twist or squirm in or as if in pain
-
(intr) to move with such motions
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(intr) to suffer acutely from embarrassment, revulsion, etc
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of writhe
First recorded before 900; Middle English writhen (verb), Old English wrīthan “to twist, wind”; cognate with Old Norse rītha “to knit, twist”; akin to wreath, wry
Explanation
To writhe is to squirm and twist. Often you'll see the phrase "to writhe in agony." Writhe when you've just ingested some stomach-wrenching poison, or perhaps in response to red ant stings. Writhe stems from the Old English, meaning "to twist or bend." It's not a coincidence that a Christmas wreath is greenery twisted and bent into a circle. A person can writhe in embarrassment but it's usually reserved for times when pain or discomfort cause you to twist and bend over and squirm because your body is in such distress.
Vocabulary lists containing writhe
List 8
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"Of Mice and Men"
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Inside Out & Back Again
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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.
When athletes tear ACLs in other sports, crowds are used to watching them writhe on the ground in agony.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026
The Colombian star put on a spectacular show that saw her dance with knives, writhe in a fake cave and play a fiery guitar solo during Objection Tango.
From BBC • Sep. 13, 2023
But the hourlong drive was a strain for Inez, and painful for Ken, who would writhe in agony during the commute.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 13, 2023
Eichel didn’t think it was bad enough to writhe on the ice and wait for medical attention when he could skate off and begin the process of collecting himself.
From Washington Times • Jun. 6, 2023
The letters seemed to writhe and twist on the paper as his hand trailed to a stop.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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.
