writhing

[ rahy-thing ]

adjective

1. twisting about or squirming, as from pain, violent effort, uncontrolled passion, etc.:

   I saw a big red-tailed hawk carry a writhing blacksnake across the sky.

2. feeling or expressing acute mental discomfort or distress:

   His words were a writhing mix of anger and confusion and he didn't spare her any of it.

noun

1. an act or instance of twisting about or squirming:

   The writhing of these fly larvae around their food looks rather strange, but it turns out there's a reason for their wriggling.

2. the state of feeling or act of expressing acute mental discomfort or distress:

   Perpetual fear and mistrust, inner pain, or the writhing of conscience may render a human existence worse than death.

Other Words From

• writh·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of writhing¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; writh(e) ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; writh(e) ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

Moments later, the cat lays purring and writhing on the ground until it "dies".

From BBC

Viral videos of them writhing in pain before being taken for medical treatment sparked a renewed debate over their treatment by authorities in Nigeria, as well as the length of their detention.

From BBC

Four young suspects - who were arrested during major anti-government protests in August - collapsed on the courtroom floor, writhing in pain before being removed to get medical help.

From BBC

Images of him writhing in agony as he burned to death in the family’s tent were shared around the world on social media.

From BBC

Green Bay was especially effective with its pass rush up the middle Sunday, swarming Matthew Stafford, sacking him three times and repeatedly leveling hits that left him writhing on the turf.

From Los Angeles Times