writhe

American  

[rahyth] / raɪð /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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noun

1. the act or an instance of writhing

Other Word Forms

• writher noun

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

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal

She’s one with the ground she’s walking, crawling and writhing on.

From Salon

For the last weeks of her life, Natalie, now 44, watched her daughter writhing in agony as her bladder was stripped of its lining - a condition known as ketamine bladder syndrome.

From BBC

The ghost of Gaga past re-emerges for Perfect Celebrity, writhing with camp energy in a shallow grave as she sings about the pressure and torture of stardom.

From BBC

“The Gilded Age” embarks on its third season as America writhes in what many believe to be its death throes.

From Salon

Related Words

• recoil
• squirm
• wiggle
• wince