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
The camera swept in and among the writhing bodies in a rollicking, kinetic performance.
—
ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Ref Bankes initially ignored the wide-eyed protests of several Chelsea players to flash only his yellow card as Garnacho writhed, grimacing on the floor and clutching his left leg.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Doncic writhed below the basket, spending a stoppage of 2-plus minutes with a Lakers trainer kneeling beside him.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
The mesmerizing power of the booming sound in a southern Moroccan desert prompts the teeming bodies to writhe and dance in an ecstatic state.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for writhe
ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Ref Bankes initially ignored the wide-eyed protests of several Chelsea players to flash only his yellow card as Garnacho writhed, grimacing on the floor and clutching his left leg.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Doncic writhed below the basket, spending a stoppage of 2-plus minutes with a Lakers trainer kneeling beside him.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
The mesmerizing power of the booming sound in a southern Moroccan desert prompts the teeming bodies to writhe and dance in an ecstatic state.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for writhe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for writhe
Verb
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Tourists and scientists want to know On Thursday, three tractors spent more than an hour raking the beach at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach as beachgoers weaved around them, stepping over thick piles of sargassum that turned the shoreline water a murky brown.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2026
-
Marner weaved past Husso and tucked the puck in off his backhand.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
Verb
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For moist at least, a long history as a word associated with bodily discharge coupled with its more recent use as a sexualized word positioned it as one that makes young modern women squirm more than men.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
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The veterans, of course, are terrific with one later episode set on a plane that finds Mulligan in top squirming form.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Gutierrez recommended twisting the barrel adjuster next to the brake handles counter-clockwise and tightening the neighboring stopper bolt, which will increase tension with the tire’s brake cable.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
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In this retiree state with much smarts and experience but sorely values-twisted by years of lopsided Republican rule under Govs.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Pebbles twitched, branches waggled, cholla wiggled, weeds erupted then dried up and died.—
Alina Hartounian,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
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The launch can also be viewed on NASA's social media platforms include Facebook, twitch and X as well as NASA+, the agency's streaming service.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This low-key threshold perfectly sums up the essence of Kuraya—quietly crafted and entwined in the historic threads of its location.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
-
Yet Cotton plausibly describes a life where human routines are deeply entwined with those of other creatures and the cycle of the Sun.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Pekara said hospital surveillance footage captured him fidgeting under the blanket.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Each chair is equipped with an exercise band around the legs to allow children to kick and fidget safely while sitting.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fatu annihilated Reigns with another vicious clothesline and tossed him shoulder-first into the steel ring post.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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After Washington opener Richard Lovelady tossed two scoreless innings, Zack Littell worked four innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 May 2026
Verb
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During their first night together, just for an instant, Nikki appears to glitch, jerking back mid-kiss and looking at him with blind panic instead of undying affection.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
John jerked Maggie back by the elbow and stopped her from stepping into the street.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Writhe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/writhe. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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