as in to fidget
to make jerky or restless movements
the toddler squirmed the whole time we were in the waiting room
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in squirming
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squirm
Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for squirm
Verb
The match looked to be heading for a draw but Jorgensen somehow allowed an Asensio volley to squirm underneath him in the 89th minute.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for squirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirm
Verb
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Game players knew this was coming and fidgeted in their seats to see what their uninitiated friends and family would make of last night’s big The Last of Us episode.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Then came Brian Harman, fidgeting over each practice swing.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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If their tail starts twitching or their ears are flattened, then they may be overstimulated, which can lead to aggression.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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Real Estate As Ballast Against Market Turbulence Why does Manhattan real estate hold up while other assets twitch?—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Just keep in mind that not all finishes are dishwasher safe, so check before tossing it in.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2025
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Heat president Pat Riley has always sought to follow up a big splash by tossing another boulder into the pond.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Confused Lochlan, who thoughtfully jerked off his older brother so that Saxon wouldn’t feel left out.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
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No bobbing, no jerking awake 40 times mid-flight with your mouth open and your neck tweaked.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Kevin Porter Jr and Bobby Portis wiggled free a few times, but in general the blue and gold were connected and physical on defense.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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Numerous states and school districts have tried to wiggle out of their legal and financial obligations to educate all students with disabilities, as outlined by federal and state laws.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Life’s hard enough, and if facial fiddling is music to your ears, have at it.—
Valerie Monroe,
Allure,
21 Feb. 2025
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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
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As usual, however, Charli was onstage solo for most of the night, bodying the songs with her trademark unusually violent dancing: hard fist pumps and hair-whipping, torso wrenching and writhing on the stage floor.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2025
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The red Indian of the Western plains tied his prisoner to the stake, tortured him, and danced in fiendish glee while his victim writhed in the flames.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Many episodes later, as Dedra suffers a crushing setback, Gough performs her attempts to choke back tears and still her trembling hands with an almost violent desperation.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2025
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Lydia, who – based on her trembling lips – seems to be in poor health, continues to plead with Lawrence.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirm. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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