22 uses
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Definition
to move in a twisting or contorted motion — often of a person when struggling or in pain
- The stories about him that came back to Atlanta from Richmond and Wilmington made those who had received him in other days writhe with shame.2.16 (30% in)
- But there are other scoundrels who masquerade under the cloak of the blockader for their own selfish gains, and I call down the just wrath and vengeance of an embattled people, fighting in the justest of Causes, on these human vultures who bring in satins and laces when our men are dying for want of quinine, who load their boats with tea and wines when our heroes are writhing for lack of morphia.2.13 (10% in)
- Some lay stiff and still but many writhed under the hot sun, moaning.3.21 (61% in)
- Prissy screamed at the top of her voice, more from fright than pain, and began to dance up and down, writhing to break Scarlett's grip.3.21 (96% in)
- Please talk to me," she whispered and Scarlett would gabble something until Melanie again gripped the knot and again began writhing.3.22 (24% in)
- "It's a ghos'," moaned Prissy, writhing face down on the wagon boards.3.24 (27% in)
- Her empty stomach writhed within her.3.26 (18% in)
- The flames raced ever beyond her, toward the walls of the covered runway, fiery snakes that writhed and leaped and, exhaustion sweeping her, she knew that it was hopeless.3.27 (87% in)
- Scarlett knew their souls were writhing in helpless rage at being under obligations to their Yankee overseer.3.29 (50% in)
- His face was white under its tan, his eyes hard and anxious as he lifted her completely off her feet, swung her up against his chest and sat down in the chair, holding her writhing in his lap.4.34 (87% in)
- Tomorrow she would think of Rhett's conduct and her shame and they would make her writhe again.4.35 (72% in)
- He writhed inwardly at the thought that Suellen would never know the truth and would always think he had senselessly jilted her.4.36 (16% in)
- Scarlett writhed at his words.4.36 (66% in)
- It was not only the desire to be with him that made her writhe with helpless impatience at her confinement.4.41 (85% in)
- His thick gray brows writhed together as though the effort of stringing words together was difficult.4.42 (56% in)
- Confronted with the prospect of negro rule, the future seemed dark and hopeless, and the embittered state smarted and writhed helplessly.4.44 (4% in)
- The town writhed at these last two!4.46 (27% in)
- For months they had writhed under Yankee laughter and scorn, and the ladies felt and said that if Rhett really had the good of the Klan at heart he would have managed the affair in a more seemly fashion.4.47 (74% in)
- Though the thought made her writhe, there was nothing she could do about it.5.52 (82% in)
- He was going out of his way to hurt and humiliate her and she writhed as she thought how she had longed for his homecoming, while all the time he was drunk and brawling with police in a bawdy house.5.54 (90% in)
- Knowing how Ashley valued honor above his life, Scarlett knew he must be writhing.5.55 (47% in)
- Melanie suddenly went white and her eyes widened with horror as she looked down at the black tormented head writhing in her lap.5.56 (89% in)
There are no more uses of "writhe" in Gone with the Wind.
Typical Usage
(best examples)