1 throe | Definition of throe

throe

noun
\ ˈthrō How to pronounce throe (audio) \

Definition of throe

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

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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

After the Rio Olympics in 2016, and with Brazil in the throes of a record recession, public resources dried up. The Economist, "Police killings in the state of Rio de Janeiro are at a 20-year high," 3 Sep. 2019 France was in the throes of a heat wave, but up here, the air was crisp. Sylvie Bigar, Washington Post, "Her uncle died with the French Resistance, and she had to visit the spot," 30 Aug. 2019 In the throes of the Great Depression, New York City mayor Jimmy Walker issued a call for help. SI.com, "A History of Football in 100 Objects," 28 Aug. 2019 The Denver institution has been dealing with this disruption in the throes of wrapping up summer semester and welcoming fall students back to campus. Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, "Regis University’s technology systems targeted by “malicious threat” likely from outside the country," 23 Aug. 2019 When season 2 picks up, Holden is in the throes of a panic attack after Kemper’s (Cameron Britton) bone-chilling bear hug. Michele Corriston, PEOPLE.com, "Everything to Know About the Real Serial Killers of Mindhunter Season 2," 19 Aug. 2019 Maine is already in the throes of this labor crisis, with desperate families struggling to get help caring for their elders. Yvonne Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump’s new immigration rule: Not just immoral — also stupid," 17 Aug. 2019 Small victory in a huge war Pretomanid appears to mess with the synthesis of mycolic acid, according to a study that looked at gene activity while M. tuberculosis was in the throes of death. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "How a new antibiotic destroys extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis," 16 Aug. 2019 Right now, the Arctic is in the throes of an extraordinary melt season, with record low Arctic-wide ice extent, and no ice at all in Alaska waters as of early August. Andrew Freedman, Anchorage Daily News, "Loss of Arctic sea ice may not be causing cold winters in the US and Asia after all," 15 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'throe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of throe

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for throe

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

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More Definitions for throe

throe

noun
\ ˈthrō How to pronounce throe (audio) \

Medical Definition of throe

: pang, spasm usually used in plural death throes throes of childbirth

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More from Merriam-Webster on throe

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with throe

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for throe

Spanish Central: Translation of throe

Nglish: Translation of throe for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of throe for Arabic Speakers