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
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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
Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 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
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 2026
At the White Horse, that faith is amplified by sweat, live fiddle and the unspoken understanding that someone is expected to lead.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fiddle
Verb
As Rossini stowed her purse in a tiny back office, a manager named Katie Atlas was onboarding a new employee, a young woman who fiddled nervously with her necklace.
—Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 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
Look for a philodendron, palms, or a fiddle leaf fig plant.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 2026
At the White Horse, that faith is amplified by sweat, live fiddle and the unspoken understanding that someone is expected to lead.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fiddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fiddle
Verb
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Saturday’s game is also being advertised an autism awareness night, offering earplugs, fidget toys and a sensory break area for fans who plan to attend.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Minimal but purposeful movement, avoiding fidgeting or excessive gestures, shows intention.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lægreid wasn’t the only athlete caught up in a cheating scandal, however.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
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The seemingly quaint and cordial sport of curling was rocked by cheating allegations during the Winter Games.—
Sallee Ann Harrison,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After iftar, the evening meal that breaks their daytime fast, families gather to watch their picks from the year’s crop of soap operas and political and historical dramas, snacking on sweets and nuts and drinking tea and coffee until late into the night.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Tiger nuts may aid digestion, support weight loss, regulate blood sugar, boost heart and immune health, and reduce inflammation.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The scam reportedly tricked Russian drone operators into giving away the location of their Starlink terminals, allowing Ukrainian artillery and drones to target them.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2026
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But Quilici said total monetary losses from scams have grown.—
Megan De Mar,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On 26 total pitches against six batters, Birdsong tossed 12 balls and left after giving up a grand slam to former Granada High star Miles Mastroubuoni, a 381-foot blast to right-center.—
Haley Smilow,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Don’t give up and toss your plant into the compost pile.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Before that, the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act that passed in January 2025 was already squeezing Social Security, CRFB said.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
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Video shows the women squeezing through the window and screaming obscenities at the people inside, while tossing food, beverages and packaging.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Understanding the hilarity and nonsense of this comment can help understand why there is so much division in our country today.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
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The dystopian extreme is AI model collapse, in which systems trained heavily on their own output begin to produce nonsense.—
R. Alexander Bentley,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The film uses music, the clippity-clop of hooves and twitching furry ears for her three donkeys — Palaye, Ruperto, Palomo — to surf critical acclaim on the film festival circuit to the upcoming Academy Awards.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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Baby Briana’s arms twitched and legs flopped against cold concrete.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fiddle. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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