squiggles

verb

present tense third-person singular of squiggle
1
as in twitches
to make jerky or restless movements a pediatrician's waiting room full of squiggling toddlers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scribbles
to write or draw hastily or carelessly there are some illegible notes squiggled in the margins of the old book

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 squiggles Pairing neon squiggles with a bare base creates a striking negative-space design that's made to catch eyes. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squiggles
  1. twitches
  2. scribbles
  3. fidgets
  4. tosses
  5. jerks
  6. squirms
  7. wiggles
  8. twists
Verb
  • Persistent muscle twitches Everyone’s muscles twitch from time to time, usually at various locations.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Some devices, for example, track eye movements or other small muscle twitches to let users select words from a screen.
    — Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2025
Definition of twitches
Verb
  • But when Ava makes a bathroom trip, Deb hastily scribbles something in her notepad.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 29 May 2026
  • More tournaments to come While Yount has developed a near-superpower of watching 12 mats at once, Smith, for the most part, relaxes in his seat and enjoys the show at Ball Arena while Yount scribbles on his brackets.
    — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Definition of scribbles
Verb
  • The man fidgets, shifts around in his seat and fixates on Zarutska before pulling out a small knife and striking her multiple times around her neck.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of fidgets
Verb
  • The grandfather is seen running around a few trees, but the bison soon catches up and tosses the helpless visitor eight feet in the air.
    — Suzanne Yeo, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • As part of the number, Grande tosses a sparkling pink ship’s wheel high into the air before catching it.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of tosses
Verb
  • In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Definition of jerks
Verb
  • When Brian and Murtagh report that Dougal offended the Grants and Colum had to promise Ellen’s hand to appease the situation, Lord Lovat squirms.
    — Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of squirms
Verb
  • Buttermilk the cow is an interactive toy that sings, wiggles its ears, and teaches little ones animal sounds.
    — Anja Webb, Parents, 28 Nov. 2025
  • His body wiggles with excitement, signaling his tail is wagging.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Definition of wiggles
Verb
  • An agitator is a post in the machine’s center that twists so the clothes can rub against each other, while impellers have a cone or disc on the bottom of the drum that spins.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
  • Pimiento cheese is a Southern classic, and this dip adds a couple twists to impress at any gathering.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of twists

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squiggles
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Cite this Entry

“Squiggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squiggles. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on squiggles

Nglish: Translation of squiggles for Spanish Speakers

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