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
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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
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Recent Examples of writhe
After a few minutes, your eyes gradually adjust, and the performers, the maybe-lovers, come into view, flesh on the ground, writhing and making out and embracing.
—
Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
No one concerned that this woman was clearly writhing in pain.
—Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
Their struggle has upturned the tabletop candle that illuminates the scene and any moment will surely extinguish it, effacing the giddy pattern formed by the writhing bodies and glowing, veiny bladder skin.
—Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
The result left Adebayo writhing in pain, having to be helped off the court, unable to return.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for writhe
Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
No one concerned that this woman was clearly writhing in pain.
—Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
Their struggle has upturned the tabletop candle that illuminates the scene and any moment will surely extinguish it, effacing the giddy pattern formed by the writhing bodies and glowing, veiny bladder skin.
—Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
The result left Adebayo writhing in pain, having to be helped off the court, unable to return.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for writhe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for writhe
Verb
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That vision came to life during the festival that followed the walk; attendees danced to live music and children weaved through the crowd waving pride flags.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
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Lawmakers can also find ways to weave their policies into other bills that may not bear their names.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
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With trainers immediately sprinting to the mound to check on Major, the former West Virginia pitcher could be seen squirming on the ground in serious pain.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
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The boy is screaming, squirming.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Tomatoes are susceptible to many viruses, such as tomato yellow leaf curl virus, that cause leaves to twist and curl.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
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Back in 2017, fellow Belgian David Goffin twisted his ankle on tarp at the back of a court at Roland Garros.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Many a club’s board would have twitched in the face of the bare data, but the chain of command above Arteta stayed the course, and the FOMO is so high that tickets for Palace away this weekend are going for £45,000 ($60,000) on resale sites.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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It’s not made explicitly clear if these seemingly sympathetic kids are actually his worst bullies, but Machado-Graner’s eyes, lip twitch, and throat gulp in this short sequence tell a whole story in themselves.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The challenge, educators say, is that technology has become so entwined with learning, especially for older students, that unplugging from screens at school is complicated.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
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Cricket’s link with social drinking is deeply entwined and can be the lifeblood of clubs at grassroots level where the clubhouse and bar are often central to the community.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Rafa starts to fidget around noon before mama is supposed to meet us for her lunch break.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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Pekara said hospital surveillance footage captured him fidgeting under the blanket.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Soak the charcoal in water before tossing it.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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Episode 2 concludes with Dennis finding Paula’s daughter Hazel’s cleats, which had been accidentally tossed outside Trevor’s home.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Don’t twist or jerk the tick, which can cause the mouth to break off in your skin.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
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According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of seizures can include short-term confusion, staring spells, stiff muscles and jerking movements of the arms and legs.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Writhe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/writhe. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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