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

She gasped for air, writhing and clawing at the dry dirt and pine needles.

From Literature

The quarterback briefly writhed on the turf but didn’t come out of the game.

From Los Angeles Times

As soon as Mahomes was left writhing on the ground and grabbing his knee late in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, it was clear he had sustained a serious injury.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Literature

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

From Literature

Related Words

• recoil
• squirm
• wiggle
• wince