writhe

writhe

verb \ˈrīth\

writhedwrith·ing

Definition of WRITHE

transitive verb

1

a : to twist into coils or folds b : to twist so as to distort : wrench c : to twist (the body or a bodily part) in pain

2

: intertwine

intransitive verb

1

: to move or proceed with twists and turns <writhed to the music>

2

: to twist from or as if from pain or struggling

3

: to suffer keenly

— writhe noun

Examples of WRITHE

1. She lay on the floor, writhing in pain.
2. a nest of writhing snakes

Origin of WRITHE

Middle English, from Old English wrīthan; akin to Old Norse rītha to twist

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WRITHE

Synonyms: enlace, entwine, implicate [archaic], interlace, intertwist, interweave, inweave, lace, ply, twist, weave, wreathe, intertwine

Related Words: braid, plait, plat, pleach; blend, fuse, join, link, mix

Near Antonyms: disentangle, uncoil, untangle, untwine, unwind

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with WRITHE

blithe, kithe, lithe, scythe, tithe, withe