1
as in to weave
to cause to twine about one another
tends to writhe his fingers together when he's nervous or upset
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to squirm
to make jerky or restless movements
writhing in pain from his injuries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of writhe
And just as the image of black people beaten for trying to cross a bridge resonated beyond our community, the image of a Palestinian hooked up to an IV, writhing in agony and burning alive, resonates far beyond theirs.
—
Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
Louis is also left writhing in pain after intentionally walking outside during the day.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026
Reid writhes in front of Zaman, sticking out his tongue in one take, running his hand down his body in another, all while a gigantic technocrane zooms overhead.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Lesnar smiled as Femi writhed in pain from the multiple finishing moves.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for writhe
Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
Louis is also left writhing in pain after intentionally walking outside during the day.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026
Reid writhes in front of Zaman, sticking out his tongue in one take, running his hand down his body in another, all while a gigantic technocrane zooms overhead.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Lesnar smiled as Femi writhed in pain from the multiple finishing moves.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for writhe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for writhe
Verb
-
Father Joseph Balikuddembe, a young priest, weaves down the aisle for communion, depositing wafers on the nuns' lips.—
Sophie Neiman,
NPR,
20 June 2026
-
For once the story seems less about progress in the nuts and bolts of how the cars weave their way around road hazards.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Unless your companion could use a hand or is traveling with young kids (in the latter case, if this person also happens to be your spouse or partner, really not cool to leave them with the stroller, diaper bag, squirming kids).—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Some circles encourage silence, not as a time to squirm, but as the most generative time for listening.—
Ginny Whitelaw,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Scientists have discovered a new way to control quantum light sources by twisting atomically thin layers of a material known as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a breakthrough that could help bring quantum technologies closer to practical use.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
-
Just clip it on to secure the zipper or luggage cord; then, twist and unclasp it to open.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
There is something cultish about that idea — the player who tends not to start but has the knack to appear later on with antennae twitching, ready to seize the day and alter the course of a match.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
-
Leon Stetson was allegedly twitching, so officers moved him away from Carrie Stetson and started to render medical aid.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Because of all that’s at stake, though, something else is entwined with the honor and responsibility of hosting.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
As such, his life was the object of enduring fascination and close scrutiny, in no small part because the life was so entwined with the work.—
Mark Rozzo,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
A lot of those people have Victoria Baumann and Charlie Moreton to thank, the father-daughter duo behind Victoria Essie Studio that produces fidget toys and other knickknacks out of their homes in North Carolina.—
Jennifer Liu
Valentina Duarte,
CNBC,
14 June 2026
-
Rafa starts to fidget around noon before mama is supposed to meet us for her lunch break.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
In both cases, tornadoes about 200 yards wide traveled roughly 2 miles, toppling trees, tossing lawn furniture and knocking down power lines.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
-
Martín Pérez was on the mound for the home team, a soft-tossing veteran lefty who was pumping in 89-mph sinkers.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Don’t twist or jerk the tick, which can cause the mouth to break off in your skin.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
-
Once the squid gather near the surface, lines fitted with bait are lowered into the water and rapidly jerked up and down to imitate small prey such as shrimp, triggering strikes before the catch is reeled aboard.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Writhe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/writhe. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
