WRITHING Definition & Meaning

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writhing

[ rahy-thing ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

twisting about or squirming, as from pain, violent effort, uncontrolled passion, etc.:
I saw a big red-tailed hawk carry a writhing blacksnake across the sky.
feeling or expressing acute mental discomfort or distress:
His words were a writhing mix of anger and confusion and he didn't spare her any of it.

noun

an act or instance of twisting about or squirming:
The writhing of these fly larvae around their food looks rather strange, but it turns out there's a reason for their wriggling.
the state of feeling or act of expressing acute mental discomfort or distress:
Perpetual fear and mistrust, inner pain, or the writhing of conscience may render a human existence worse than death.

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Other �y��vlog Forms

�ɰ��ٳ�·��Բ�·�� adverb

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of writhing¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; writh(e) ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; writh(e) ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

They found Ms Marshall still conscious and writhing around in "extreme pain" on the floor of the living room, which was covered in black smoke.

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Moments later, the cat lays purring and writhing on the ground until it "dies".

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Viral videos of them writhing in pain before being taken for medical treatment sparked a renewed debate over their treatment by authorities in Nigeria, as well as the length of their detention.

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Four young suspects - who were arrested during major anti-government protests in August - collapsed on the courtroom floor, writhing in pain before being removed to get medical help.

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Images of him writhing in agony as he burned to death in the family’s tent were shared around the world on social media.

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