as in to fidget
to make jerky or restless movements
the toddler squirmed the whole time we were in the waiting room
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as in squirming
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Recent Examples of squirm
Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
During the screening, the audience squirmed in their seats, gasping many times at the jaw-dropping stunts and quite shocking injuries that occurred, and ultimately, standing to applaud at the end as five of the seven Storror members and Bay left the crowd to head backstage.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
The match looked to be heading for a draw but Jorgensen somehow allowed an Asensio volley to squirm underneath him in the 89th minute.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Trump: Ukraine should turn to Europe for security USDA chief pitches egg prices plan
The Cabinet and Congress, at least for the time being, squirm in Elon Musk’s shadow.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squirm
Verb
The sixth episode of The White Lotus Season 3 has critics stunned—and in some cases, squirming—after a grim hour that pushed creator Mike White's pitch-black satire to new depths.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
During the screening, the audience squirmed in their seats, gasping many times at the jaw-dropping stunts and quite shocking injuries that occurred, and ultimately, standing to applaud at the end as five of the seven Storror members and Bay left the crowd to head backstage.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
The match looked to be heading for a draw but Jorgensen somehow allowed an Asensio volley to squirm underneath him in the 89th minute.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Trump: Ukraine should turn to Europe for security USDA chief pitches egg prices plan
The Cabinet and Congress, at least for the time being, squirm in Elon Musk’s shadow.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirm
Verb
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Game players knew this was coming and fidgeted in their seats to see what their uninitiated friends and family would make of last night’s big The Last of Us episode.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Then came Brian Harman, fidgeting over each practice swing.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Riley Robinson/Staff A wind blows down the border, twitching pale dry grass.—
Riley Robinson,
Christian Science Monitor,
6 May 2025
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If their tail starts twitching or their ears are flattened, then they may be overstimulated, which can lead to aggression.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But, during his walk to first, Williams tossed his bat aside and nodded his head.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2025
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And generally, shorter shapes are easier to toss and serve.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Earthquakes cause the ground to move in unpredictable ways, sometimes sharply jerking, other times swaying like a ship in rough seas.—
Maya Wei-Haas,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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Confused Lochlan, who thoughtfully jerked off his older brother so that Saxon wouldn’t feel left out.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Kevin Porter Jr and Bobby Portis wiggled free a few times, but in general the blue and gold were connected and physical on defense.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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Numerous states and school districts have tried to wiggle out of their legal and financial obligations to educate all students with disabilities, as outlined by federal and state laws.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Life’s hard enough, and if facial fiddling is music to your ears, have at it.—
Valerie Monroe,
Allure,
21 Feb. 2025
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The fiddling pays off when the fresh herb vinaigrette dresses a mix of Iceberg lettuce and one of the mixed greens combos sold in the marketplace.—
Cathy Thomas,
Orange County Register,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Cabrera writhed in pain in the dirt and appeared to be really hurt.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2025
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And to make matters that much worse, Tatum, a first-team All-NBA selection the last three seasons, was writhing around the court, holding his right leg, begging for a timeout.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Many episodes later, as Dedra suffers a crushing setback, Gough performs her attempts to choke back tears and still her trembling hands with an almost violent desperation.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2025
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Lydia, who – based on her trembling lips – seems to be in poor health, continues to plead with Lawrence.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirm. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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