writhes

verb

present tense third-person singular of writhe
1
as in weaves
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
2
as in squirms
to make jerky or restless movements writhing in pain from his injuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 writhes The cobra seems angry and writhes and attacks, and the handler holds the snake at bay, looking like a man who has made poor lifestyle choices and therefore deserves whatever is coming courtesy of his snake pal. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026 Reid writhes in front of Zaman, sticking out his tongue in one take, running his hand down his body in another, all while a gigantic technocrane zooms overhead. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026 The truth risks bringing down the whole edifice, which is why the system writhes to hide who takes decisions large and small. — Azadeh Moaveni, Time, 3 Feb. 2026 The congregation writhes, sometimes in unison, and whirls and stomps; at one point, a line of folks snake through a doorway and into the foreground, as the camera rotates in the opposite direction. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2025 So says the priest (Ben Hall) to Sister Agnes (Hayley McFarland), who writhes in a dark room, foaming at the mouth before a gathering of fellow Carmelite nuns. — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for writhes
  1. weaves
  2. squirms
  3. twists
  4. tosses
  5. twitches
  6. fidgets
  7. jerks
Verb
  • As in the novel, Clarissa weaves two seemingly disparate narratives — one about a wealthy woman, the other about a soldier with PTSD — into one story about fate, existentialism, and time.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Intricate leather weaves reinterpreted the brand’s classic bags and shoes, while denim, crystal embroidery and ostrich-effect materials added pizzazz to the lineup.
    — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of weaves
Verb
  • The 420 Sport jostles and squirms on these surfaces at low speeds, but the payoff is unfiltered, no-nonsense feedback.
    — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026
  • When Brian and Murtagh report that Dougal offended the Grants and Colum had to promise Ellen’s hand to appease the situation, Lord Lovat squirms.
    — Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of squirms
Verb
  • The child twists away from her, trying to get out of her arms.
    — Joan Kron, Allure, 28 Sep. 2026
  • All four maintain those spots throughout the chase, regardless of the turns and twists throughout the area.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of twists
Verb
  • A student tosses a metal barrier during a protest at Strasbourg University in eastern France on Friday.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Love finished 16 of 29 for 145 yards with TD tosses to Christian Watson and MarShawn Lloyd for the Packers, whose six-game skid — including the playoffs — was their longest since dropping seven in a row spanning the 1990 and 1991 seasons.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of tosses
Verb
  • Persistent muscle twitches Everyone’s muscles twitch from time to time, usually at various locations.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Some devices, for example, track eye movements or other small muscle twitches to let users select words from a screen.
    — Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2025
Definition of twitches
Verb
  • The man fidgets, shifts around in his seat and fixates on Zarutska before pulling out a small knife and striking her multiple times around her neck.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of fidgets
Verb
  • In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Definition of jerks

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writhed
writhes
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Cite this Entry

“Writhes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/writhes. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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