writhe

[rahyth]

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.

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

/ 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

noun

1. the act or an instance of writhing

Other Word Forms

• writher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of writhe¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of writhe¹

Old English wrīthan; related to Old High German rīdan, Old Norse rītha. See _wrath , _wreath , _wrist , _wroth

Example Sentences

“The Gilded Age” embarks on its third season as America writhes in what many believe to be its death throes.

From Salon

And that’s kind of what happened until her final hours when her breathing became so labored she was writhing and wrenching herself upright trying to get air.

From Los Angeles Times

Muncy writhed on the ground in obvious pain before being helped to the clubhouse.

From Los Angeles Times

When she refuses, Spears grabs the trimmer and clicks it on: “The extensions are hacked into lifeless scraps … the stray hairs curl on the floor like writhing snakes.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Perfect Celebrity” and “Disease” had her writhing in a shallow grave surrounded by the undead.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• recoil 
• squirm 
• wiggle 
• wince