retched

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "retched" is correct in written English.
You can use it as a verb, meaning "to vomit or retch". Example sentence: She was feeling so ill that she wretched a few times into the toilet bowl.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He sobbed and retched his way through his trial, bursting into tears again on Thursday when Judge Masipa cleared him of murder.

Independent

"I've actually got no stomach for gore: I retched the very first time I did anything medical; I was lancing a giant boil on Casualty and the make-up department had stuffed the prosthetic with bloodied scrambled egg.

Independent

At once they were nauseated and began vomiting, and they retched the whole day.

The New Yorker

And when he received the account of the Malaysia meeting, which he had been requesting for a year and a half, and saw that the agency had known for twenty months that the agents of Al Qaeda were in America, he ran into the bathroom and retched.

The New Yorker

Verl, perhaps trying to set an example, took a forkful of mashed potato and retched.

The New Yorker

Jack drained the last of the liquor out of the jar, grimaced, retched, swallowed bile, bad liquor, and a gut-full of green blackberries.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It's hard to fathom how the batsman managed to brush it off; I nearly dry-retched just watching the replay.

The Guardian - Sport

Its ludicrous plot about sex-hungry cannibalistic vampires in Paris drew derisive laughter when it was screened in Cannes and its gory scenes had even hardened horror fans retching in disgust.

The Guardian - Film

In one meeting, he pretended to need to relieve himself of his last Diet Coke so he could get out into the corridor to retch.

The Economist

What caused her nearly to retch was a new animation for transitions in opening apps and folders.

The Economist

By the water's edge it is hard not to retch.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retched" to vividly describe the physical sensation and involuntary action of attempting to vomit, often due to disgust or illness. It's most effective when conveying immediate, visceral reactions.

Common error

Avoid using "retched" when a milder term like "felt nauseous" is more appropriate. "Retching" implies a strong physical reaction, and using it for slight discomfort can be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "retched" is as the past tense of the verb "retch". It describes a completed action of making the sound and movement of vomiting. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "retched", as Ludwig AI confirms, functions as the past tense of "retch", effectively describing the act of making an effort to vomit. Its usage is prevalent in journalistic content but also appears in literary contexts to showcase a character's physical or emotional state. The provided examples from Ludwig paint a clear picture of its application in describing reactions to unpleasant sights, tastes, or situations. While generally neutral, its directness ensures it is suited to vividly portraying physical reactions without being overly formal or informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dry-heaved

Specifically indicates retching without producing any vomit, emphasizing the unproductive effort.

vomited

Indicates a more forceful expulsion of stomach contents compared to the dry heaving implied by "retched".

gagged

Implies a reflexive action, a struggle to avoid vomiting, less intense than actually retching.

heaved

Suggests a strong, involuntary effort to vomit, carrying a connotation of physical strain.

choked

Describes difficulty in breathing, sometimes associated with nausea or gagging but focuses on respiratory distress.

felt nauseous

Refers to the sensation of sickness, the feeling that precedes retching or vomiting, without the physical act.

felt sick

A general term for feeling unwell, which can include nausea and the urge to retch.

became queasy

Suggests a mild feeling of nausea, a lesser intensity than "retched".

felt repulsed

Implies a strong feeling of disgust or aversion, which can trigger a physical reaction similar to retching.

recoiled

Describes a sudden movement away from something unpleasant, potentially triggering a physical reaction.

FAQs

How is "retched" used in a sentence?

The word "retched" is used to describe the action of making the sound and movement of vomiting, without necessarily expelling anything. For example, "He "retched" at the sight of the spoiled food."

What's the difference between "retching" and "vomiting"?

"Retching" refers to the involuntary effort to vomit, which may or may not result in expelling stomach contents. "Vomiting", on the other hand, is the actual expulsion of stomach contents. Someone can "retch" without vomiting, but vomiting always involves retching.

What can I say instead of "retched"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "gagged", "heaved", or "dry-heaved" to describe the action of trying to vomit.

Is "retched" formal or informal?

The word "retched" is considered a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, its use often depends on the overall tone and subject matter of the writing or conversation. In some situations, a more clinical term like "vomited" may be preferred.