Writhing Meaning in English

word · lemma: writhe

US

ˈɹaɪðɪŋ/, /ˈɹɪθɪŋ

RYE-thing

UK

ɹˈaɪðɪŋ

RYE-thing

Definition

Moving your body with twisting, squirming movements, usually because of pain, discomfort, or strong emotion.

Usage & Nuances

Formal or literary word, often used for intense pain or emotion. Common collocation: 'writhing in pain.' Rare in spoken everyday English; more typical in books or dramatic descriptions.

• Spanish: retorciéndose - contorsionándose
• Portuguese (BR): contorcendo-se - se retorcendo
• Portuguese (PT): contorcendo-se - torcendo-se
• Chinese (Simplified): 扭动 - 蠕动
• Chinese (Traditional): 扭動 - 蠕動
• Hindi: कसमसाना - मरोड़ना
• Arabic: يتلوى - يتلوّى
• Bengali: কুঁচকানো - ছটফটানো
• Russian: извиваться
• Japanese: のたうつ - もがく
• Vietnamese: quằn quại - vặn vẹo
• Korean: 뒤틀리다 - 몸부림치다
• Turkish: kıvranmak
• Urdu: تڑپنا - بل کھانا
• Indonesian: meringis - menggeliat

Example Sentences

The snake was writhing on the ground after being caught.

basic

He was writhing in pain after he twisted his ankle.

basic

The bug on its back was writhing to get up.

basic

He dropped the hot pan and started writhing from the burn.

natural

During the scary movie, she was writhing in her seat, barely able to watch.

natural

The crowd was writhing with excitement as the band came onstage.

natural