throe

noun

1
: pang, spasm
death throes
throes of childbirth
2
throes plural : a hard or painful struggle
the throes of revolutionary social changeM. D. Geismar

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
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.
The United States first seized Guantánamo Bay in 1898, when Washington intervened in the last throes of Cuba’s thirty-year struggle for independence from Spain. Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025 As Wes, Sope Dirisu has played a compelling figure in the blind throes of a meteoric rise. Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025 Both have started games for the Astros this season, and McCullers, specifically, is a veteran who has pitched in the throes of a playoff race. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025 Collapsing in confusion, haste, and the absence of any discernible meeting of the minds among Ukraine, Russia, several European countries, and America, Trump's negotiations may be in their last throes, along with his Nobel Peace Prize campaign. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for throe

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of throe was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throe. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

throe

noun
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
: pang, spasm
usually used in plural
death throes
throes of childbirth

More from Merriam-Webster on throe

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