squirm 1 of 2

verb

ˈskwərm How to pronounce squirm (audio)
Definition of squirmnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

squirm

2 of 2

noun

as in squirming

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
Verb
The player who was hit by the cart immediately grabbed his thigh and knee area while squirming in pain on the ground. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 The snakes continue squirming in his grasp, and one bites him. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 26 May 2026
Noun
Visibly anxious and more than a little drunk, Emma proceeds to offer up a confession that marks the point of no return in writer-director Kristoffer Borgli’s divisive squirm comedy. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 3 Apr. 2026 Packed with numerous squirm-worthy scenes and strong commentary on impossible beauty standards, this film is best watched when the clock strikes midnight. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for squirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirm
  1. fidget
  2. squirming
  3. twitch
  4. writhing
  5. toss
  6. twitching
  7. jerk
  8. wriggling
Verb
  • In addition to having lofty themes, this is also a fairly rousing adventure with enough visual panache to keep any kid from fidgeting in his seat.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 June 2026
  • A lot of those people have Victoria Baumann and Charlie Moreton to thank, the father-daughter duo behind Victoria Essie Studio that produces fidget toys and other knickknacks out of their homes in North Carolina.
    — Jennifer Liu Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 14 June 2026
Definition of fidget
Noun
  • Jost proceeded to read them — as usual squirming while doing it.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025
Definition of squirming
Verb
  • Somewhere, John Tortorella's eye is twitching with rage after that.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
  • At 6-2, 234 with terrific length, Brown is a giant ball of muscle with speed and twitch.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of twitch
Noun
  • Throughout the writhing and the screaming, Julia’s fortitude wears down a defiant Davina, whose history with Lovat feeds the moment.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of writhing
Verb
  • Others drape seal intestines over their fins or take turns tossing sea lion pelts into the air, Shields said.
    — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • Evans hit another amazing dive to the outside on Theory before tossing Breakker into the timekeepers area.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of toss
Noun
  • Casting near banks and using a twitching technique can increase success during the hatch.
    — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
  • During this phase, octopuses display visible twitching along with rapid changes in skin color and texture, per NPR.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of twitching
Verb
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advises against twisting or jerking the tick.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026
  • Watching their relationship devolve (never more so than when their sperm donor, a rakish, motorcycle-driving restaurant owner played by Mark Ruffalo, enters the scene) is most definitely a tear-jerking experience, as is the film’s final scene.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026
Definition of jerk
Noun
  • Barnard attended the ceremony with Soprano, Lola’s female stand-in and a convincing lookalike, who accepted the collar with considerable enthusiasm and even more considerable wriggling.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
Definition of wriggling

Browse Nearby Words

squiring
squirm
squirmed
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Cite this Entry

“Squirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirm. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of squirm for Spanish Speakers

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