WRITHE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

writhe

verb

ˈrīt͟h

Definition of writhe

as in to weave

to cause to twine about one another tends to writhe his fingers together when he's nervous or upset

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to squirm

to make jerky or restless movements writhing in pain from his injuries

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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 Surrounded by her family, Sybil’s body goes limp after several intense minutes of writhing in pain on the bed. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 In the opening minutes, a crunching collision in front of the goal between Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku and Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand left Beiranvand writhing on the grass for several minutes, holding his face. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 June 2026 The process involves a writhing dance that looks a lot like the dance that male and female sunfish perform with each other prior to breeding. — Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 Adams, for one, spent a fair portion of the first half on the grass, writhing in pain. — Sean Gregory, Time, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for writhe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for writhe

Verb

And throughout their exchange, Paul weaved in his analysis of Fauci’s actions to frame the one-sided conversation his way.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
The podcast, which launched in 2025, focuses on a single sad track as a means for artists to weave personal narratives.

— Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of weave

Verb

Its defenders will have to do better than making Infantino squirm.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
Last year, Evans told The Times that the interview format, with its squirm-inducing sauces, was a tactic to turn what might otherwise be a typical press tour interview into something raw and real.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of squirm

Verb

Quixotic aerialists twisted, turned and unfolded above the crowd, using flowing fabric and butterfly-inspired movements to mirror the creatures being celebrated.

— Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Garnish with two mint crowns (the top of the plant) twisted together to form a bushy mint explosion on top.

— Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of twist

Verb

The consequences aren’t just ecological; trout fishing is closely entwined with the economy in many Rocky Mountain communities.

— Matthew Brown, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
The allegations became entwined with the court’s investigation into the war in Gaza, with Khan’s supporters arguing that the warrants the court has issued for top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were at stake.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of entwine

Verb

At about 45 minutes in, guests were looking at their phones and fidgeting in their seats.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 July 2026
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

Definition of fidget

Verb

Young also tossed a laser ball to tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders near the sideline in 11-on-11 work.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026
The eclipses this month (on August 12 and 28) may bring new people into your life, and potentially toss some expired connections out of it.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

Nighttime in the Okefenokee is filled with a wild cacophony — the choruses of pig frogs, hooting owls, crickets and sometimes the deep, nerve-jerking bellowing of bull alligators.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advises against twisting or jerking the tick.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026

Definition of jerk

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“Writhe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/writhe. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of writhe

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