writhing
Contorting in agony
Writhing describes twisting, contorting movements of the body, typically from pain, discomfort, or intense emotion.
A person writhes on the ground after being kicked; snakes writhe as they move.
The word suggests continuous, uncontrolled motion: She lay writhing in agony.
Figuratively, someone can writhe with embarrassment or shame—squirming inwardly even if still outwardly.
Twist from discomfort
- wriggleTwisting, snakelike movement
- thrashBeat violently or defeat utterly
- contortTwist unnaturally
- twistRotating motion or surprise
coil · undulate · slither · convulse · wiggle · flounder · flail · toss
Twist from discomfort
- fidgetRestless small movements
- restlessUnable to be still
- uneasyTroubled, not calm
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
awkward · cringe · flinch · wince · embarrassed · anxious · nervous · agitated
Extreme physical or emotional pain
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- throesIntense painful struggles
convulsing · cramping · spasm · contortion · grimacing · torture · excruciation · distress
Of bodily pleasure
- undulatingMoving in waves
- gyratingRotating rapidly, spiraling
- sinuousCurving in flowing turns
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
tantalizing · provocative · sultry · burlesque · striptease · pole · exotic · grinding
squirm
Twist from discomfort
twist · coil · undulate · slither · convulse · wiggle · flounder · flail · toss · turn
squirm
Twist from discomfort
uncomfortable · awkward · cringe · flinch · wince · embarrassed · anxious · nervous · agitated · antsy
agony
Extreme physical or emotional pain
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
throes · convulsing · cramping · spasm · contortion · grimacing · torture · excruciation · distress · affliction
sensual
Of bodily pleasure
- undulatingMoving in waves
- gyratingRotating rapidly, spiraling
- sinuousCurving in flowing turns
seductive · tantalizing · provocative · sultry · burlesque · striptease · pole · exotic · grinding · swaying
snake
Limbless scaled reptile
tentacle · maggot · larvae · caterpillar · leech · centipede · millipede · slug · nematode · earthworm
- exertioneffort, straining, strain, heaving, labor
- locomotionwalking, running, crawling, swimming, flying
- reptile traitsscaly, cold-blooded, slithering, forked tongue, shedding skin
- erratic motionthrashing, flailing, jerking, lurching, twitching
- biological movementlocomotion, crawling, walking, running, swimming
- lively motionsbouncing, bounding, darting, dashing, frolicking