writhes
Contorts in agony
Writhes is the third-person singular of writhe, meaning to twist and turn the body, typically from pain, discomfort, or strong emotion.
Someone writhes in agony on the ground, or writhes with embarrassment at a memory.
The word suggests continuous, serpentine movement: She writhes under the weight of his accusations.
Dancers may writhe sensuously; worms writhe when disturbed.
Twist from discomfort
- fidgetRestless small movements
- wriggleTwisting, snakelike movement
- shiftingChanging position or form
- restlessnessState of unease
unease · twitch · fret · jitter · antsy · nervousness · cringe · recoil
Bodily or emotional distress
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
misery · torture · affliction · throe · ordeal · travail · agony · excruciating
Beat violently or defeat utterly
- flailSwing limbs erratically
- convulseShake involuntarily, violently
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
- quiverTrembling or arrow case
jerk · spasm · shake · tremble · seizure · paroxysm · fit · violent
squirm
Twist from discomfort
restlessness · unease · twitch · fret · jitter · antsy · nervousness · cringe · recoil · uncomfortable
pain
Bodily or emotional distress
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- anguishIntense mental suffering
distress · misery · torture · affliction · throe · ordeal · travail · agony · excruciating · searing
thrash
Beat violently or defeat utterly
- flailSwing limbs erratically
- convulseShake involuntarily, violently
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
quiver · jerk · spasm · shake · tremble · seizure · paroxysm · fit · violent · uncontrolled
slither
Glide smoothly, sinuously
python · viper · scales · constrictor · boa · crawl · sinuous · undulate · glide · sidewind
twist
Rotating motion or surprise
spiral · flex · warp · deform · distort · entwine · tangle · kink · gnarl · intertwine