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writhe

English → EnglishliteraryInstant · from the shared dictionary
Illustration of "writhe": To writhe is to twist or squirm your body in a violent or contorted way. The mental image is of some

What does "writhe" mean?

To writhe is to twist or squirm your body in a violent or contorted way. The mental image is of someone or something struggling intensely, often because they are experiencing sharp physical pain, extreme discomfort, or overwhelming emotional distress. While it can be used to describe physical reactions to injury, it is frequently used figuratively in literature to describe someone struggling with intense feelings like guilt, embarrassment, or internal turmoil. It is a dramatic, evocative verb that implies a lack of control over one's own movements.

"writhe" in conversation

At the gym

Are you okay? You've been on the floor for a minute.

Are you okay? You've been on the floor for a minute.

I think I pulled a muscle, I'm literally writhing in pain right now.

I think I pulled a muscle, I'm literally writhing in pain right now.

Used here to emphasize the severity of physical pain.

Discussing a book

The protagonist had to watch his own house burn down.

The protagonist had to watch his own house burn down.

I know, he was writhing in agony as he watched the flames.

I know, he was writhing in agony as he watched the flames.

Commonly paired with 'in agony' or 'in pain' to describe extreme states.

"writhe" in a sentence

  1. The snake began to writhe on the grass.

    The snake began to writhe on the grass.

  2. She writhed in pain after twisting her ankle during the hike.

    She writhed in pain after twisting her ankle during the hike.

  3. He writhed in silent torment as he realized the weight of his past mistakes.

    He writhed in silent torment as he realized the weight of his past mistakes.

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