writhe

[ rahyth ]

verb (used without object)

, writhed, writh·ing.

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, writh·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈwrither, noun

Other Words From

• writh·er 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

Instead, the raciest bits are assigned to Colin, who gets to writhe about with topless sex workers in a make-out session implying a threesome.

From Salon

Grabbed by a predator, they writhe theatrically, soiling themselves with a pungent cocktail of musk and feces.

From New York Times

At their feet, a cluster of grotesque, clothed figures, including a hooknosed priest and a mother covering her child’s eyes, writhe in disgust.

From New York Times

Then men tremble and writhe and waver.

From Salon

Alabama officials said the method would be humane and predicted death would take place within a few minutes, but Smith seemed to remain conscious for several minutes and appeared to shake and writhe in agony for at least two minutes.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• recoil
• squirm
• wiggle
• wince