throe

American  

[throh] / θroʊ /

noun

1. a violent spasm or pang; paroxysm.

2. a sharp attack of emotion.

3. throes,

   1. any violent convulsion or struggle.

      the throes of battle.

   2. the agony of death.

   3. the pains of childbirth.

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throe British  

/ θrəʊ /

noun

1. rare a pang or pain

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throe Idioms  

1. see in the throes.

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Usage

What does throe mean? The word throe refers to a pain, pang, or spasm, but it is very rarely used.It is almost exclusively used in the plural form throes, which refers to a state or condition of pain or violent convulsions, spasms, or pangs.Throes is especially associated with situations involving physical or emotional pain or agony, as in the throes of childbirth or the throes of grief. It can also be used in the context of a situation that’s an intense struggle, as in the throes of creation or the throes of revolution. The phrase death throes can refer to the agony of dying or it can be used metaphorically to refer to the final stages of something, as in The terrible reviews of his latest book represent the death throes of his career.The word throes is commonly used in the phrase in the throes of, meaning in the midst of something intense, especially a painful situation, a struggle, or a crisis, as in We were in the throes of battle when the reinforcements arrived. It can also be used in less serious situations, as in We were in the throes of a movie marathon when the power went out. Example: When I’m in the throes of the flu, I barely have the energy to get out of bed.

Etymology

Origin of throe

1150–1200; Middle English throwe, alteration of thrawe ( -o- from Old English thrōwian to suffer, be in pain), Old English thrawu; cognate with Old Norse thrā (in līkthrā leprosy)

Example Sentences

I led little Flora down a stone path toward an open area to play, though her stomping made it clear she was still in the throes of a tantrum.

From Literature

The singer and the on-screen star had been deep in the throes of their romance when they snapped up the home, which served as their primary abode throughout their four-year marriage.

From MarketWatch

The sight of encampments and people in the throes of psychosis in the streets drives perceptions of lawlessness and danger, studies show.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, in the throes of the AI boom, “memory has become a key differentiator within hardware systems,” and companies like Micron are set to reap the benefits of having more high-performance products.

From Barron's

Now, in the throes of the AI boom, “memory has become a key differentiator within hardware systems,” and companies like Micron are set to reap the benefits of having more high-performance products.

From Barron's

Related Words

• agony