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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.
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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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
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