WRIGGLE Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

wriggle

verb

ˈri-gəl

Definition of wriggle

as in to squirm

to make jerky or restless movements a toddler wriggling in his seat all throughout the church service

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to crawl

to move slowly with the body close to the ground a worm slowly wriggled across the sidewalk

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to worm

to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way within a month of his arrival, this social upstart had wriggled himself into the family's good graces

Synonyms & Similar 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 wriggle For his part, Sherman, a long-time champion of wriggling remedies, cheered the clearance as a step forward for MDT generally. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026 Reaching out hands to help the suffering, Didi and Gogo go down themselves—all mankind a wriggling heap. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026 The predator can breathe air, survive out of water and walk (more of a wriggling, snake-like motion) on land for at least four days. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 June 2026 The technology was largely depicted as a portal to the future, a tonic for the ailing Los Angeles production sector, and a way to finally wriggle free from the bonds of antiquated studio protocols. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for wriggle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wriggle

Verb

But the real pleasure is the 303 basslines that squirm in between the drums, coating the soundscapes of the tracks in grime and noxious soot.

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026
With the contact patch sliding and squirming, the brakes had less to work with—and the car took just enough extra distance to end in an impact.

— Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of squirm

Verb

Fort Hood, Texas, one of the Army's largest bases, has closed one of its dining facilities after a video circulating on X appeared to show dozens of roaches crawling across the walls of the facility's kitchen.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Flash flood warnings were then issued again for New York City and nearby states as thunderstorms crawled across the region on Tuesday afternoon and evening.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Definition of crawl

Verb

Like parasites, those jukebox musicals wormed their way into Broadway and slowly killed the medium.

— Jesse Eisenberg, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
After a series of personal setbacks, Ingrid moves to Los Angeles to be closer to Taylor, masterminding their meeting and worming her way into her inner circle.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Definition of worm

Verb

There is something cultish about that idea — the player who tends not to start but has the knack to appear later on with antennae twitching, ready to seize the day and alter the course of a match.

— Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Leon Stetson was allegedly twitching, so officers moved him away from Carrie Stetson and started to render medical aid.

— Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026

Definition of twitch

Verb

The surge in short interest coincides with a decidedly bearish sentiment creeping into what had been a relentlessly bullish AI trade.

— Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Associated Press Tropical Storm Bertha continues to creep across the northern Gulf as of Wednesday morning.

— Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of creep

Verb

Homer would likely be easier to sneak through to the practice squad and then elevate on game days.

— Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Nick, Schmidt, Coach and Winston manage to sneak into the mansion, with Nick desperately trying to make things right with Jess, who is now fully freaking out.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026

Definition of sneak

Verb

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Nick DiSalvo’s plaintive vocals and snaking riffs can gently suggest thoughtful indie rock or tense up to show off more doom-adjacent roots.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026
Food trucks reopened after the storm and long lines snaked around the vendor area.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Definition of snake

Browse Nearby Words

wretches

wriggle

wriggled

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Wriggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wriggle. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of wriggle

verb

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