retch

verb

ˈrech How to pronounce retch (audio)
especially British
ˈrēch How to pronounce retch (audio)
retched; retching; retches
Synonyms of retchnext

transitive verb

: vomit sense 1

intransitive verb

: to make an effort to vomit
also : vomit
retch noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of retch in a Sentence

the smell of rotten cabbage makes me retch
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 beat retched like Tin Man choking on his own silvery puke while Fraxiom called out NYU kids and threatened to pee on Zedd. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 5 Mar. 2025 By a weird coincidence, the young woman loudly retching in the next bed had, too. — Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English *rechen to spit, retch, from Old English hrǣcan to spit, hawk; akin to Old Norse hrækja to spit

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of retch was in 1538

Rhymes for retch

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Browse Nearby Words

retaste
retch
retcon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retch. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

Medical Definition

retch

intransitive verb
ˈrech, especially British ˈrēch
: to make an effort to vomit

transitive verb

: vomit
retch noun

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Nglish: Translation of retch for Spanish Speakers

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