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

Explanation

To writhe is to squirm and twist. Often you'll see the phrase "to writhe in agony." Writhe when you've just ingested some stomach-wrenching poison, or perhaps in response to red ant stings. Writhe stems from the Old English, meaning "to twist or bend." It's not a coincidence that a Christmas wreath is greenery twisted and bent into a circle. A person can writhe in embarrassment but it's usually reserved for times when pain or discomfort cause you to twist and bend over and squirm because your body is in such distress.

Example Sentences

Poor unpardonable length, All belly to the mouth, Writhe then and wriggle, If there's joy in it!

From The Last Harvest by Burroughs, John

I hated him! but felt a living goad Writhe and crawl beneath my bosom—shameful burden! sinful load!

From The Continental Monthly, Vol 3 No 3, March 1863 Devoted To Literature And National Policy by Various

O ye, whom wrath consumes! who, passion-stung, Writhe at defeat, and nurse your agonies!

From Keats: Poems Published in 1820 by Robertson, M. (Margaret)

The monster to confront, at first, The spell of Four must be rehears'd; Salamander shall kindle, Writhe nymph of the wave, In air sylph shall dwindle, And Kobold shall slave.

From Faust — Part 1 by Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von

Writhe and wriggle as he might, he could not squeeze through.

From The Gray Phantom's Return by Landon, Herman

Related Words

• recoil
• squirm
• wiggle
• wince