throes

/θroʊz/
noun
  1. Intense or violent pain and struggle, especially associated with death or childbirth.
    • The wounded animal lay in its final throes before going still.
    • The patient was in the throes of a severe asthma attack.
    • She cried out in the throes of labor as her baby was born.
  2. A difficult or turbulent period of change or struggle.
    • He was in the throes of a difficult divorce and needed support.
    • Our company is in the throes of restructuring, so things are chaotic.
    • The country is in the throes of a major economic crisis.
What does "throes" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean