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
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
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
-
For those deep in the Apple ecosystem who want headphones that just work without all the fiddling, the Beats Solo 4 make sense with a 25% discount.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Now scientists have found that, with a little fiddling, the feathers can be adjusted to turn flashes of light into laser beams.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
His eye is twitching, just a little.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
-
In a heartbreaking video, a partially paralyzed dog is caught twitching his paws in his sleep, and internet users can’t stop sobbing.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Jost proceeded to read them — as usual squirming while doing it.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of tossing your cords into your carry-on and hoping for the best, keep your tech essentials organized with this compact $10 electronics organizer from Fyy.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Montana State players jumped around at midfield, some tossing their helmets, to celebrate the team’s first national championship since 1984.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 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
-
To that point, Olympia shouldn’t be allowed to play the jury the tear-jerking recording of Frank’s final phone call home as the water rose.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The Surprise Lining The most tear-jerking moment, however, was kept secret until the very last minute.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After that failed, with the student wiggling out of the coat and hitting, kicking and trying to bite the teacher, the teacher said, the school security guard returned to the van with tube socks.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Parents and kids will encounter wiggling, stretching, and breathing exercises in each episode, giving your child that consistent routine their bodies need to sleep well, night after night.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The rover’s two-wheel design reflects UEL’s emphasis on surface mobility and system simplicity.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
His responsibilities exposed him to the complex environment universities encounter when seeking to develop international initiatives, from navigating regulatory landscapes to supporting faculty mobility and aligning academic structures beyond national borders.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fidgeting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fidgeting. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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