squirm

verb

ˈskwərm 

squirmed; squirming; squirms

intransitive verb

: to twist about like a worm : fidget

squirm noun

squirmy

ˈskwər-mē 

adjective

Synonyms of squirm

• fidget
• twitch
• toss
• jerk
• wiggle
• writhe
• tremble
• twist
• shiver

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

In it, Trofimova is speaking English as the baby squirms in her lap. — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

But the scale of Tuesday night’s reckoning defies even his ability to lie, dissemble, and generally squirm his way out of it. — Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026

Erling Haaland headed City level in the second half, but Jackson got his second and the winner with a first-time finish that squirmed under goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

In the back, tanks bubbled with live lobsters while crawfish squirmed in boxes nearby. — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1691, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for squirm

• berm
• ferm
• firm
• germ
• herm
• sperm
• term
• therm
• worm
• wurm
• affirm
• bookworm

Kids Definition

squirm

verb

ˈskwərm 

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

ˈskwər-mē 

adjective