to retch

Examples

• All

• The father rushes out the door to find his wife on her knees, bent over, retching.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Once Mother had explained its source, I had to work hard to keep from retching whenever I thought about it.

  Fiction book (1997)

• But how am I to enjoy it when women scream and retch at the sight of me?

  Fiction book (2001)

• I tear without really crying, and I retch, but nothing comes up.

  Fiction book (2002)

• Several of the sailors turned from the ranks, retching at the sight.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I couldn't hold a bite in my mouth without retching, no matter how hard I tried.

  Academic text (2002)

• The pain dropped him to the ground again, and he retched, gagging for breath.

  Fiction book (1990)

• He went runnin' for the bathroom, retching like crazy.

  Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary (2017)

• Lilly kept sobbing and retching until late that night, when at last Mama came.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Getting to her knees, she retched over and over, her empty stomach writhing in frenzied cramps.

  Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

H

to heave

vsto retch

8 6.7

To try to vomit and make a retching sound

is a stronger involuntary effort that sometimes brings up stomach contents

G

to gag

vsto retch

5 5.1

To feel like you will throw up when something touches your throat

is specifically an involuntary vomiting effort that may expel stomach contents

K

to keck

vsto retch

• UK

9.9

To feel like you will vomit

is a strong involuntary effort rather than a mild queasy feeling

Antonyms

S

swallow

20 1.0

A small amount of food or drink taken into the throat at once

Idioms

A

all retch and no vomit

• Informal

9.9

A lot of loud complaining but no real action

How Forceful

to retch

9 7.2

to gag

5 5.1

Surface Forms

Etymology