Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of writhe.
  • noun A twisting struggle.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word writhing.

Examples

  • Zilla, whose withered lips were again writhing into speech, and compelled her to silence.

    THE WHITE MAN'S WAY 2010

  • Perdido Street Station by China Mieville is, perhaps, the most interesting book I've read in a year .... and what sets my fanboy antennae writhing is that there are at least two other books set in this world.

    Scenes From An Art Fair, Written After Seven Hours of Driving To CT 2005

  • In the future, all my devices will be sheathed in writhing plasma-plates like this killer casemod's.

    Boing Boing: July 20, 2003 - July 26, 2003 Archives 2003

  • Zilla, whose withered lips were again writhing into speech, and compelled her to silence.

    The White Man's Way 1907

  • He scowled at Zilla, whose withered lips were again writhing into speech, and compelled her to silence.

    The White Man's Way 1906

  • I killed two before I realized it and their souls went to strengthen me, so that I moved with even greater speed, the sword writhing and turning in my hands like a living creature, killing, killing, killing.

    The Dreamthief's Daughter Moorcock, Michael, 1939- 2001

  • What might be called a writhing expression stole over him.

    The Confidence-Man 1857

  • What might be called a writhing expression stole over him.

    The Confidence-Man Herman Melville 1855

  • See that pretty bird, in its beak a writhing worm!

    A Strange Story — Volume 05 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

  • See that pretty bird, in its beak a writhing worm!

    A Strange Story — Complete Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.