throe

noun

ˈthrō How to pronounce throe (audio)
Synonyms of throenext
1
: pang, spasm
death throes
throes of childbirth
2
throes plural : a hard or painful struggle
… the throes of revolutionary social change …—M. D. Geismar

Synonyms of throe

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Examples of throe in a Sentence

collapsed in the throes of agony that third-world country is caught up in the throes of a democratic revolution
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The last time Google released a smart speaker, the world was in the throes of a pandemic. — Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 17 June 2026 His own son, Ethan, in the throes of a mental health crisis, threw Tom’s wife down the stairs, killing her. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 2 June 2026 Parker collapsed under it all, finding herself in the throes of a nervous breakdown on the floor of her home in Philadelphia. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 June 2026 As Droga sees it, the advertising industry is very much in the throes of a profound technological shift. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for throe

Word History

Etymology

Middle English thrawe, throwe, from Old English thrawu, thrēa threat, pang; akin to Old High German drawa threat

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of throe was in the 13th century

Rhymes for throe

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Browse Nearby Words

throbless
throe
thromb-
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Cite this Entry

“Throe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throe. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

throe

noun
ˈthrō How to pronounce throe (audio)
1
: pang
death throes
throes of childbirth
2
plural : a hard or painful struggle
a state in the throes of revolution

Medical Definition

throe

noun
ˈthrō How to pronounce throe (audio)
: pang, spasm
—usually used in plural
death throes
throes of childbirth

More from Merriam-Webster on throe

Nglish: Translation of throe for Spanish Speakers

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