1
as in twitching
to make jerky or restless movements
a pediatrician's waiting room full of squiggling toddlers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scribbling
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squiggling
Verb
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Here, American fighter planes, cargo ships and Japanese freighters have spent decades transforming into thriving artificial reefs, draped in coral and surrounded by twitching clouds of tropical fish.—
Dea Jusufi,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026 -
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
Verb
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This group – which included women with graying hair and comfortable OnCloud running shoes, a doctoral student scribbling in a tiny notebook and men wearing office casual chinos – were talking death over tea and vegan strawberry cookies in a gathering commonly called a Death Cafe.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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As anachronisms constantly threaten to puncture the illusion, the cast stays wry, nimble and self-conscious in order to locate plot points and jokes that reinforce the golden-age radio setting, scribbling notes and introducing characters that propel them through ludicrous narrative arcs.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The veterans, of course, are terrific with one later episode set on a plane that finds Mulligan in top squirming form.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Like him, Rue is squirming under Laurie’s thumb, anxious to get out.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Cubs did just enough to scratch a run across against Braves lefty Chris Sale, and the bullpen kept tossing up zeros en route to a 2-0 victory to snap a four-game losing streak.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, is suspected of tossing a rock at the head of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal — one of the rarest marine mammals on earth — on May 5 in an incident that was caught on camera by locals.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Avoid jerking the floss or aggressive movements; instead, use smooth, gentle motions.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
12 May 2026
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During their first night together, just for an instant, Nikki appears to glitch, jerking back mid-kiss and looking at him with blind panic instead of undying affection.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Pekara said hospital surveillance footage captured him fidgeting under the blanket.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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Hundreds of thousands of deliveries, all landing on his front leg while twisting his torso, had taken a toll on his right hip that three surgeries could not repair.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
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Gutierrez recommended twisting the barrel adjuster next to the brake handles counter-clockwise and tightening the neighboring stopper bolt, which will increase tension with the tire’s brake cable.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Spencer took out his phone and played a recording of his daughter telling the wiggling story.—
John Kenney,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Squiggling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squiggling. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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