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View synonyms for

throe

[ throh ]

noun

  1. a violent spasm or pang; paroxysm.
  2. a sharp attack of emotion.
  3. throes,
    1. any violent convulsion or struggle:

      the throes of battle.

    2. the agony of death.
    3. the pains of childbirth.


throe

/ θəʊ /

noun

  1. rare.
    a pang or pain
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of throe1

1150–1200; Middle English throwe, alteration of thrawe ( -o- from Old English ٳōɾ to suffer, be in pain), Old English thrawu; cognate with Old Norse ٳ (in līkٳ leprosy)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of throe1

Old English ٳwu threat; related to Old High German drawa threat, Old Norse ٳ desire, thrauka to endure
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Idioms and Phrases

see in the throes .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A sustained pull back in housing development could have big implications for a city in the throes of an affordability and budgetary crisis.

From

Such was their renewed chemistry that the band are now in the throes of a new, sixth album.

From

By 2000, the country was in the throes of its worst drought in 60 years.

From

Just like birthing mamas do in the throes of labor.

From

In the course of the proceedings, prison rights attorneys have shown videotapes documenting the use of pepper spray, restraints, hoods and batons on mentally ill inmates in the throes of psychotic episodes.

From

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More About Throe

doesthroe mean?

The word throe refers to a pain, pang, or spasm, but it is very rarely used.

It is almost exclusively used in the plural form throes, which refers to a state or condition of pain or violent convulsions, spasms, or pangs.

Throes is especially associated with situations involving physical or emotional pain or agony, as in the throes of childbirth or the throes of grief. It can also be used in the context of a situation that’s an intense struggle, as in the throes of creation or the throes of revolution. The phrase death throes can refer to the agony of dying or it can be used metaphorically to refer to the final stages of something, as in The terrible reviews of his latest book represent the death throes of his career.

The word throes is commonly used in the phrase in the throes of, meaning in the midst of something intense, especially a painful situation, a struggle, or a crisis, as in We were in the throes of battle when the reinforcements arrived. It can also be used in less serious situations, as in We were in the throes of a movie marathon when the power went out.

Example: When I’m in the throes of the flu, I barely have the energy to get out of bed.

Where doesthroe come from?

The first records of the word throe come from the 1100s. The origin of the word isn’t certain. It may come from the Old English verb ٳōɾ, meaning “to suffer” or “to be in pain,” or from the Old English ٳwu, meaning “threat.”

Throes is typically used in situations involving pain or struggle. It’s especially used in certain phrases, such as death throes, the throes of childbirth, and the throes of passion. It often involves something serious, but it can be used in a somewhat humorous way to exaggerate the seriousness or intensity of a situation.

Did you know ... ?

are some other forms related to throe?

are some synonyms for throe?

are some words that share a root or word element with throe?

are some words that often get used in discussing throe?

are some words throe may be commonly confused with?

How isthroe used in real life?

Throe is rarely used. The plural form throes is most commonly used in the phrase in the throes. It’s especially applied to negative situations.

Try usingthroe!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of throe?

A. pangs
B. spasm
C. delight
D. pain

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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