squirm

verb

squirmed; squirming; squirms

intransitive verb

: to twist about like a worm : fidget
squirm noun
squirmy adjective

Examples of squirm in a Sentence

The baby squirmed a lot when I tried to hold him. She squirmed under her father's angry stare. The children squirmed with delight. He tried to hold onto her but she squirmed free. The frog squirmed out of his hands. The gory details of the story had me squirming in my seat.
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.
Trump: Ukraine should turn to Europe for security USDA chief pitches egg prices plan The Cabinet and Congress, at least for the time being, squirm in Elon Musk’s shadow. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 27 Feb. 2025 The production seems to have been given zero access to these bachelor’s dates or online interactions; instead, they are recounted as unsurprising post-game chastise sessions, with Hao reiterating his principles while the other men nod along or squirm a bit. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025 No more squirming outside a locked restroom with a swollen bladder, while desperately eyeing a vacant restroom restricted to people of a different gender. Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 Two fluffy, gray eaglets squirmed in the nest as Shadow happily settled in to keep his new chicks safe and warm. Devyn Byers, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squirm

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1691, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squirm was circa 1691

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squirm. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

squirm

verb
1
: to twist about like an eel or a worm
squirmed in their seats
2
: to feel very embarrassed
undeserved praise made us squirm
squirmy adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on squirm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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