- 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.
- 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.
