writhe

American  

[rahyth] / raɪð /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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noun

1. the act or an instance of writhing

Other Word Forms

• writher noun

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

A gust of wind swept through the clearing, billowing his cape up around him like a writhing, living thing.

From Literature

"It's all of ours first day," said a curator, re-assembling the artwork as it writhed.

From Barron's

Breaking the surface of the water was a writhing snake.

From Literature

Storm clouds writhed about its flanks; a deep, windless cold flowed from its summit; unimaginably high, it pierced the sky: the Mountain of the World Spirit.

From Literature

I twisted and writhed, trying to free myself.

From Literature

Related Words

• recoil
• squirm
• wiggle
• wince