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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of writhe
Judith Beheading Holofernes, in which the heroine, with just a bit of a wince, is pictured in mid-decapitation of the writhing enemy, anticipates the action thriller.
—
Nicole Krauss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Snow was adamant about showing the blood and needles in the film as well as footage of himself writhing in pain on hospital beds and the frustration of waiting hours for doctors to provide adequate dosages of pain medication that can help him.
—Marissa Evans, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
The string arrangements are lovely, lending every song a measure of uplift and writhing texture.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 19 Feb. 2026
Madonna’s floor-writhing performance of the song at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards was a cultural landmark — or landmine — and fueled her rise to becoming one of the biggest musical acts of the 20th century.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for writhe
Nicole Krauss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Snow was adamant about showing the blood and needles in the film as well as footage of himself writhing in pain on hospital beds and the frustration of waiting hours for doctors to provide adequate dosages of pain medication that can help him.
—Marissa Evans, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
The string arrangements are lovely, lending every song a measure of uplift and writhing texture.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 19 Feb. 2026
Madonna’s floor-writhing performance of the song at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards was a cultural landmark — or landmine — and fueled her rise to becoming one of the biggest musical acts of the 20th century.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for writhe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for writhe
Verb
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Beyond the vitrines of watches that weave throughout the space is another enclave with banquette seating to also be used for appointments.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
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The 20-track LP serves as equal parts music and cinema in which Crockett weaves a tale of McLane as a cattle rustler on the run from the law who — eventually — gets his redemption.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Did the answers — and unknowns — make people hesitate and squirm?—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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There will be no squirming tonight.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the upper body, a stiff rib cage restricts the thoracic (or middle) spine’s ability to rotate, forcing the lower back to twist beyond its design.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
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Their studio is known for clever recycling — like the copper lamp base that Faber found on a sidewalk and twisted into a faucet at their old Greenpoint rental.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Curry’s body began convulsing and twitching with increasing severity, consistent with him sustaining a traumatic brain injury from being punched in the face, documents state.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At least some semblance of production from the outfield, largely entwined with the bottom of the order, that had been so meager last year.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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That’s good news for Disney because the House of Mouse has become increasingly entwined with the game developer.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The design was inspired by the hair-tearing boredom of COVID lockdown-era remote work, a time in which Knafs founder Ben Petersen maintained sanity during Zoom calls by fidgeting around with pocket knives and doodling pictures.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Mar. 2026
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One woman ordered some home furniture while two children fidgeted nearby.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The sixth-year senior saw limited action last season in the ACC with Pittsburgh, serving as the Panthers’ third-string quarterback and tossing just 22 passes on the year.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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With the base loaded and one out, Los Alamitos popped up a bunt that third baseman Kimmie McDonnell snagged and alertly tossed to shortstop Mazzotti covering third base for an inning-ending double play.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Tony Fauci was not just jerking the country around.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Writhe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/writhe. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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