writhe

[rahyth]

verb (used without object)

writhed, writhing 

1. to twist the body about or squirm, as in pain, violent effort, uncontrolled passion, etc.

   Synonyms: wriggle, contort, flail, thresh

2. to shrink mentally, as in acute discomfort.

verb (used with object)

writhed, writhing 

1. to twist or bend out of shape or position; distort; contort.

2. to twist (oneself, the body, etc.) about, as in pain.

noun

1. a writhing movement; a twisting of the body, as in pain.

writhe

/ raɪð /

verb

1. to twist or squirm in or as if in pain

2. (intr) to move with such motions

3. (intr) to suffer acutely from embarrassment, revulsion, etc

noun

1. the act or an instance of writhing

Other Word Forms

• writher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of writhe¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of writhe¹

Old English wrīthan; related to Old High German rīdan, Old Norse rītha. See _wrath , _wreath , _wrist , _wroth

Example Sentences

Autumn’s body is writhing on the ground now, turning over repeatedly.

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Madame Babushkinov’s lap blanket slipped unnoticed to the floor as she writhed in her chair.

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Beowulf writhed on the bed while his brother and sister stood by.

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“I am having an epiphany about the poor,” Lady Constance proclaimed, stepping daintily over the writhing child.

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Across the globe, Florence is wrenching Freddie from writhing on the floor to buck him up for the imminent match.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• recoil 
• squirm 
• wiggle 
• wince