as in to fidget
to make jerky or restless movements
the toddler squirmed the whole time we were in the waiting room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in squirming
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of squirm
Esther Kang, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
One, shown against Fulham below when Pope allowed Emile Smith Rowe’s weak shot to squirm under him, was particularly costly.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
The women start to squirm when Silky Johnson (Dave Chappelle) comes out in a mink coat holding a golden goblet.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2025
Additionally, some men have squirmed even hearing about the concept of the film.
—William Earl, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squirm
Verb
The clip then transitions into a montage for fans squirming in their seats with excitement before host Drew Carey reveals that the show is giving away $90,000 in cash and rewards in honor of the special occasion.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
One, shown against Fulham below when Pope allowed Emile Smith Rowe’s weak shot to squirm under him, was particularly costly.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
The women start to squirm when Silky Johnson (Dave Chappelle) comes out in a mink coat holding a golden goblet.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2025
Additionally, some men have squirmed even hearing about the concept of the film.
—William Earl, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirm
Verb
-
Some studies found that fidgeting throughout the day may burn up to 10 times more calories than sitting still.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Rosenkrantz is played in the two-hander by Rebecca Hall with warmth and humor and a physical ease that makes Linda much more centered and self-contained than Whishaw’s chain-smoking, often fidgeting Peter.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In the footage, the faceless android is seen suspended from the ceiling, its limbs twitching and moving in an unsettlingly human-like manner.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
11 Mar. 2025
-
For example, dogs who love running might be twitching their paws while dreaming.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Warren, 25, has tossed 11 2/3 innings this spring training, and he's looked excellent each time out.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
-
The characters are near strangers, tossed together by weird and annoying circumstances.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
While there are a slew of ways to pleasure yourself depending on these three factors, there are some basic tips that can be a helpful starting point, like how to finger yourself and how to jerk off.—
Quispe López,
Them,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Avoid jerking the valve or forcing it to turn, as this could cause the valve to break off.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Aircraft struck mock enemy targets, tanks blasted live shells, soldiers wiggled their way through a frozen trench network and a bagpiper emerged from a smoke screen to waiting cameras.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
-
MacMillan added that dogs might also raise or wiggle their eyebrows along with the staring.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Life’s hard enough, and if facial fiddling is music to your ears, have at it.—
Valerie Monroe,
Allure,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The fiddling pays off when the fresh herb vinaigrette dresses a mix of Iceberg lettuce and one of the mixed greens combos sold in the marketplace.—
Cathy Thomas,
Orange County Register,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
As the man rises, the officer can be seen forcing him back to his knees, then flipping him flat to the ground and holding him there with his entire body, holding one leg on either side of the man’s body while the man writhes.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA regular-season MVP — the Milwaukee Bucks’ best player and greatest hope to win their first NBA title in half a century — was writhing in pain with 7 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the third quarter of Game 4 of the 2021 Eastern Conference finals in Atlanta.—
Eric Nehm,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
When people are going through withdrawal from drugs, symptoms can generally include agitation, diarrhea, nausea, sweating, chills, stomach cramps, muscle aches, trembling, appetite changes, sweating, fatigue, depression, vomiting, seizures and intense cravings, experts said.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The ground from which their enchanted garden grows, is trembling.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirm. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share