retch meaning and definition

RETCH noun

Definition of retch (noun)

1. an involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting
   • "a bad case of the heaves"
   • synonyms: heave

RETCH verb

Definition of retch (verb)

1. eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
   • "After drinking too much, the students vomited"; "He purged continuously"; "The patient regurgitated the food we gave him last night"
   • synonyms: barf, be sick, cast, cat, chuck, disgorge, honk, puke, purge, regorge, regurgitate, sick, spew, spue, throw up, upchuck, vomit, vomit up
   • antonym: keep down
2. make an unsuccessful effort to vomit; strain to vomit
   • synonyms: gag, heave