Meaning & use

writhe

verb·Advanced

To twist or squirm the body violently, often because of pain or extreme discomfort.

See it in a sentence

The injured player writhed on the field, clutching his ankle in pain.

She writhed in her seat, desperate to escape the awkward conversation.

A note on using this word

Writhe usually implies intense physical pain or emotional discomfort, stronger than simple movement like wiggle or shift.

Words with a similar meaning

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