writhe
verb (used without object)
to twist the body about or squirm, as in pain, violent effort, uncontrolled passion, etc.
were writhing
-
past progressiveof writhe.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Eventually, they were writhing on their backs, but not in frenzy, rather like a school of fish and then like petals in the wind propelled into a living flower.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2018
Around her, the brilliantly colored rope walls looked as if they were writhing.
From New York Times ● May 1, 2013
When I opened my eyes, four oversize fetterlings were writhing beneath both of her heels, like roaches being smooshed on a kitchen floor.
From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
But in the morning, in real life, perhaps half a million, not-yet-dead ants that had fed at the volunteer’s various poisoned banquets were writhing on the smokehouse floor.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
Piper stared at the statue and snake, both of which were writhing and starting to smoke.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
