as in fiddling
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Dissimilar Words
as in twitching
to make jerky or restless movements
small children are likely to fidget in church
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fidgeting
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
That fit may cut down on mid-session fidgeting during a video call or while answering a quick text.
—Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
People with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism may share symptoms like fidgeting and restlessness.
—Laura Dorwart, Health, 29 Sep. 2025
Video of the attack shows Brown fidgeting and restless.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Getting the band to fit right took me a bit of fidgeting.
—PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025
Rather than being persuaded by your content, they’re distracted by poor eye contact, fidgeting or a tentative tone.
—Sue Reynolds-Frost, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Cole, wearing a khaki jumpsuit, spent much of the hearing sitting quietly and attentively as the parties argued, occasionally adjusting his glasses or fidgeting slightly in his chair.
—Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025
Applause intermingled with tears as the families of the Camp Mystic campers and counselors looked on, many with small children fidgeting in their Sunday-best attire behind the governor.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
Canines might be stressed and anxious, which can be shown through panting, whining, barking, pacing or fidgeting.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
That fit may cut down on mid-session fidgeting during a video call or while answering a quick text.
—Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
People with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism may share symptoms like fidgeting and restlessness.
—Laura Dorwart, Health, 29 Sep. 2025
Video of the attack shows Brown fidgeting and restless.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Getting the band to fit right took me a bit of fidgeting.
—PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025
Rather than being persuaded by your content, they’re distracted by poor eye contact, fidgeting or a tentative tone.
—Sue Reynolds-Frost, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Minimal but purposeful movement, avoiding fidgeting or excessive gestures, shows intention.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Cole, wearing a khaki jumpsuit, spent much of the hearing sitting quietly and attentively as the parties argued, occasionally adjusting his glasses or fidgeting slightly in his chair.
—Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025
Applause intermingled with tears as the families of the Camp Mystic campers and counselors looked on, many with small children fidgeting in their Sunday-best attire behind the governor.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fidgeting
Noun
-
But the mayor’s dramatic tale of his predecessor’s fiscal fiddling was designed with a clear political agenda in mind: both to underline the magnitude of the problem and to identify the villains responsible for this perfidy.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
29 Jan. 2026
-
As the options for facial fiddling have become more accessible, the face is increasingly regarded as an image to be perfected.—
Valerie Monroe,
Allure,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Curry’s body began convulsing and twitching with increasing severity, consistent with him sustaining a traumatic brain injury from being punched in the face, documents state.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Afternoon Ben Thanh Market is Hồ Chí Minh’s biggest market – a vast maze of 1,500 stalls selling everything from still-twitching fish to electronics and souvenirs.—
Tamara Hinson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Jost proceeded to read them — as usual squirming while doing it.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Cook, tossing occasionally, until bright green and blistered in some spots, but still crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.—
Molly Baz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Cook, tossing often, until celery is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Throughout the writhing and the screaming, Julia’s fortitude wears down a defiant Davina, whose history with Lovat feeds the moment.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Tony Fauci was not just jerking the country around.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The clip on TikTok shows the seat jerking abruptly, apparently from forceful pushes by the person seated behind her.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Spencer took out his phone and played a recording of his daughter telling the wiggling story.—
John Kenney,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Dakar captures their tractor turning over the earth and storks swooping down for wiggling worms to feed their young.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility Overall, Bella Grande is not well-suited to wheelchair users or those with mobility concerns.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Heavier infrastructure, including habitats and mobility systems, will be delivered using advanced landing systems capable of transporting larger payloads.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fidgeting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fidgeting. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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