writhe

[ rahyth ]
/ raɪð /

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

to twist the body about, or squirm, as in pain, violent effort, 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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to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.
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Origin of writhe

before 900; Middle English writhen (v.), Old English wrīthan to twist, wind; cognate with Old Norse rītha to knit, twist; akin to wreath, wry

SYNONYMS FOR writhe

1 thresh, flail, contort, wriggle.

OTHER WORDS FROM writhe

writh·er, nounwrith·ing·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH writhe

wraith wreath wreathe writhe

Words nearby writhe

write-up, writer, writer's block, writer's cramp, writerly, writhe, writhen, writing, writing case, writing desk, writing hand
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for writher

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