Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun throe

2 senses of throe

Sense 1
throe -- (severe spasm of pain; "the throes of dying"; "the throes of childbirth")
       => agony, suffering, excruciation -- (a state of acute pain)

Sense 2
throe -- (hard or painful trouble or struggle; "a country in the throes of economic collapse")
       => distress -- (a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need); "a ship in distress"; "she was the classic maiden in distress")