verb

writhe

RYTHE/raɪð/

To twist the body in pain or discomfort.

He writhes on the bed as another stomach cramp hits.

A young man writhes on a plain couch with abdominal pain: his shoulders and pelvis turn in opposing directions, his knees draw up unevenly, and one hand presses his belly as his face tightens in a grimace.

Etymology

writheOld Englishto bind; to twist or bend

The ancestor meant to bind or fetter, then to twist or bend something. The bodily sense shifts from twisting an object to moving one's own body in twisting motions through agony or strong emotion.

In context

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭' 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬2:06

those who live in meroth writhe in pain waiting for Relief because disaster has come from the Lord

MICAH 1-7 | Walking HUMBLY with God

More examples

The injured player writhed in pain on the grass.
The intense itching made her writhe under the blankets.
She found him writhing on the floor and called an ambulance.

Forms

writhe · writhes · writhed · writhing

Similar words

squirm: Suggests small, restless movements from discomfort rather than severe pain.
twist: Describes turning or bending without necessarily implying physical distress.
contort: Emphasizes a strained or distorted shape, not necessarily pain.