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

• 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

With his third novel, Minor Black Figures, Taylor brings his characters—in this case a contemporary artist and a very lapsed seminarian—into the throes of the cutthroat New York art world. —Literary Hub july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025

Paramount is in the final throes of a merger with Skydance, which requires federal regulatory approval. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025

Last night’s 5-1 win in Game 6 never had a chance of being close, a far cry from the early throes of this series which saw three overtime games. —Chris Branch, New York Times, 18 June 2025

The film starred Hoffman as an advertising executive and Streep as his ex-wife who navigate the throes of divorce and its effects on their young son. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025

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
• beaux
• blow
• boe
• 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