writhe

[ rahyth ]

/ raɪð /

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See synonyms for: writhe / writhed / writhing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), writhed, writh·ing.

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

to shrink mentally, as in acute discomfort.

verb (used with object), writhed, writh·ing.

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

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

noun

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

OTHER WORDS FOR writhe

1 thresh, flail, contort, wriggle.

See synonyms for writhe on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM writhe

writh·er, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH writhe

wraith, wreath, wreathe, writhe

Words nearby writhe

writer, writerly, writer's block, writer's cramp, write-up, writhe, writhen, writhing, writing, writing case, writing desk

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use writhe in a sentence

The Twomblys, which might appear settled in more sedate company, here writhe and twitch.
The Art World’s New Gang War|Anthony Haden-Guest|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While the presidential guards let him writhe in pain on the pavement, people came to help him up.
Ahmadinejad Ducks a Shoe Thrower|Telmah Parsa|March 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST
He loathed himself for submitting to her cruelty, for it was intentional cruelty—she made him writhe and suffer of set purpose.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
Mrs. Prentice eyed him in a way that would have made a person with a thinner skin writhe a little.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison

For a time, the South Wind watched them writhe and twist and try to throw each other to the ground.
Stories the Iroquois Tell Their Children|Mabel Powers
He had got under the armor of his enemy at last, and he could feel him wince and writhe at each thrust that he drove home.
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair
Shall the gazer who would read the secrets of the stars turn because under his feet a worm may writhe?
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 3 of 8|Various

British Dictionary definitions for writhe

writhe

/ (raɪð) /

verb

to twist or squirm in or as if in pain

(intr) to move with such motions

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

noun

the act or an instance of writhing

Derived forms of writhe

writher, noun

Word Origin for writhe

Old English wrīthan; related to Old High German rīdan, Old Norse rītha. See wrath, wreath, wrist, wroth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

writhe

OTHER WORDS FOR writhe

Origin of writhe

OTHER WORDS FROM writhe

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH writhe

Words nearby writhe

Words related to writhe

How to use writhe in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for writhe

Derived forms of writhe

Word Origin for writhe