What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
writhe
Example
The injured player writhed in pain on the field. [writhe: verb]
Example
The snake writhed and twisted in the grass. [writhed: past tense]
Example
The gymnast's routine included a lot of writhing and twisting movements. [writhing: gerund or present participle]
thrash
Example
The fish thrashed around on the line before finally being caught. [thrashed: past tense]
Example
The prisoner was thrashed with a whip as punishment. [thrash: verb]
Example
The band played a thrashing punk rock song that got the crowd jumping. [thrashing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thrash is more commonly used than writhe in everyday language. Thrash has a wider range of meanings and can be used in various contexts, while writhe is more specific and often used in medical or descriptive contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between writhe and thrash?
Both writhe and thrash are informal words, but writhe may be considered more formal due to its association with medical or technical language.
