1
as in to fidget
to make jerky or restless movements
the executive fiddled with a pen as she impatiently waited for the meeting to begin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
conscienceless grifters who had spent their lives fiddling the naive
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in nuts
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
oh, fiddle! I've heard that excuse a thousand times before
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scam
chiefly British
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
the e-mail was another one of those fiddles from some supposed millionaire seeking to transfer funds out of his country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fiddle
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
The party that fails this test will be remembered — if at all — as the one fiddling while Rome was automated.
—Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Instead of playing sixth fiddle on a show consumed by middle-class Resistance moms, the 41-year-old mother of two is now one of the most powerful women in news.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fiddle
Verb
But so too does fiddle — not violin, fiddle — and piano.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
The party that fails this test will be remembered — if at all — as the one fiddling while Rome was automated.
—Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
Make sure to go on a night when the Moondogs bluegrass band is performing with washboards and fiddles.
—Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Instead of playing sixth fiddle on a show consumed by middle-class Resistance moms, the 41-year-old mother of two is now one of the most powerful women in news.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fiddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fiddle
Verb
-
Children fidgeted in the relentless August heat.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Sep. 2025
-
People with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism may share symptoms like fidgeting and restlessness.—
Laura Dorwart,
Health,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The only reason that Bikini Frankenstein does not rank higher on this list is because putting a softcore porno at the top would feel like cheating.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
But like his predecessor, this Frankenstein is just as obsessed with immortality and cheating death through science.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In a recording shared by his family, Dailey recounted driving his 2002 silver Dodge Dakota up the Swamp Lake Trail, reaching the top safely and stopping to snack on some jerky and a handful of nuts, ABC News reported.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The crew can now prepare ingredients like nuts, cakes, and fresh vegetables using the oven and other cooking tools.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Trailer Park Boys is a faux documentary about three petty criminals running scams from their Halifax trailer park and streams on Netflix.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Just because Trump thinks climate change is a scam, doesn’t mean the rest of the world agrees.—
John D. Sutter,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
A week later, a skeptical Supreme Court might toss them out entirely.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Taste traditionally prepared dishes at the pioneer picnic, join in frontier festivities, toss tomahawks and enjoy family-friendly games.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As an architectural blacksmith, Guillory favored Japanese denim jeans—a balance of craftsmanship and professionalism—for client meetings squeezed between long days welding staircases and chandeliers.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
-
But their arrival has coincided with a spike in housing prices, which has squeezed many locals out of the market.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Crucially, the eggs were fittingly fluffy, none of that rubbery nonsense that plague lesser burrito slingers.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
6 Nov. 2025
-
All’s Fair is girlboss nonsense.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
His eyes twitched in rapid blinks, his lips disappeared as if cold fury were coursing through his body.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Picture objects levitating or twitching without external interference—or switching rooms.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fiddle. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.
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