fidget

verb

Definition of fidgetnext
as in to twitch
to make jerky or restless movements small children are likely to fidget in church

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 fidget Rafa starts to fidget around noon before mama is supposed to meet us for her lunch break. — Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 Pekara said hospital surveillance footage captured him fidgeting under the blanket. — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 Each chair is equipped with an exercise band around the legs to allow children to kick and fidget safely while sitting. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026 As the court moved to watch the KSTU-TV segment, Tyler Robinson appeared to begin fidgeting, with one of his hands moving and rubbing his fingers back and forth. — Stepheny Price , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fidget
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fidget
  1. twitch
  2. squirm
  3. toss
  4. jerk
  5. fiddle
  6. wiggle
Verb
  • Just then, Chee Meng’s fishing rod twitched, and the line began to run out.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • During the test, Linton jerked and twitched in what prosecutors described as an attempt to fake a seizure.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of twitch
Verb
  • In the back, tanks bubbled with live lobsters while crawfish squirmed in boxes nearby.
    — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Laura squirmed under her mother’s gaze, willed the light to turn green.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of squirm
Verb
  • That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
  • After a promising start to the potential game-tying drive in the extra frame, Tagovailoa would toss an interception to Baltimore All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton to seal Atlanta's fate.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of toss
Verb
  • During the test, Linton jerked and twitched in what prosecutors described as an attempt to fake a seizure.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Drivers should never swerve or jerk the steering wheel, the state patrol said.
    — Celia Frazier, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • An Israeli police officer, one of a half-dozen standing guard around the group, fiddles on his phone.
    — Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The original Rowdy Rooster, a slim storefront on a scrappy East Village block, closed earlier this year, menu fiddling notwithstanding.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Definition of fiddle
Verb
  • As a woman waded through the waters around the Bridge Side Marina in Bridge Isle, Louisiana, the tiny canine with a fluffy white coat wiggled his forelegs as if swimming, video of the cute moment shows.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Intravenous lines can fail for several reasons, like a needle and catheter not being properly placed in a vein or wiggling out of place — or a vein rupturing and letting blood and IV fluid leak into tissue surrounding the IV site.
    — Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of wiggle

Browse Nearby Words

fidelity
fidget
fidgeted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fidget.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fidget. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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