throe

noun

ˈthrō 

1

: pang, spasm

death throes

throes of childbirth

2

throes plural : a hard or painful struggle

… the throes of revolutionary social change …

—M. D. Geismar

Synonyms of throe

• ache
• pang
• tingle
• pain
• sting

Examples of throe in a Sentence

collapsed in the throes of agony

that third-world country is caught up in the throes of a democratic revolution

Recent Examples on the Web

The last time Google released a smart speaker, the world was in the throes of a pandemic. — Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 17 June 2026

His own son, Ethan, in the throes of a mental health crisis, threw Tom’s wife down the stairs, killing her. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 2 June 2026

Parker collapsed under it all, finding herself in the throes of a nervous breakdown on the floor of her home in Philadelphia. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 June 2026

As Droga sees it, the advertising industry is very much in the throes of a profound technological shift. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English thrawe, throwe, from Old English thrawu, thrēa threat, pang; akin to Old High German drawa threat

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for throe

• beau
• beaut
• beaux
• blow
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

throe

noun

ˈthrō 

1

: pang

death throes

throes of childbirth

2

plural : a hard or painful struggle

a state in the throes of revolution

Medical Definition

throe

noun

ˈthrō 

: pang, spasm

—usually used in plural

death throes

throes of childbirth