as in writhing
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as in fidgeting
to make jerky or restless movements
the toddler squirmed the whole time we were in the waiting room
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Recent Examples of squirming
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025
Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The player who was hit by the cart immediately grabbed his thigh and knee area while squirming in pain on the ground.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
The snakes continue squirming in his grasp, and one bites him.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 26 May 2026
The boy is screaming, squirming.
—Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
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
Like him, Rue is squirming under Laurie’s thumb, anxious to get out.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
There will be no squirming tonight.
—Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
In the new iteration that would be Jack and his girlfriend Martha (Elle Fanning), whose introduction to the Taylors is one of many scenes played out with squirming discomfort.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
Jost proceeded to read them — as usual squirming while doing it.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025
Verb
Unless your companion could use a hand or is traveling with young kids (in the latter case, if this person also happens to be your spouse or partner, really not cool to leave them with the stroller, diaper bag, squirming kids).
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The player who was hit by the cart immediately grabbed his thigh and knee area while squirming in pain on the ground.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
The snakes continue squirming in his grasp, and one bites him.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 26 May 2026
The boy is screaming, squirming.
—Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
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
Like him, Rue is squirming under Laurie’s thumb, anxious to get out.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
There will be no squirming tonight.
—Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
In the new iteration that would be Jack and his girlfriend Martha (Elle Fanning), whose introduction to the Taylors is one of many scenes played out with squirming discomfort.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirming
Noun
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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
-
Pekara said hospital surveillance footage captured him fidgeting under the blanket.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Casting near banks and using a twitching technique can increase success during the hatch.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
-
During this phase, octopuses display visible twitching along with rapid changes in skin color and texture, per NPR.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The video appears to show a person standing with a snow shovel outside the house, near the street, then retreating toward the house and tossing the shovel into the yard.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Toast 1 cup raw walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes.—
Kamal Mouzawak,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Barnard attended the ceremony with Soprano, Lola’s female stand-in and a convincing lookalike, who accepted the collar with considerable enthusiasm and even more considerable wriggling.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of seizures can include short-term confusion, staring spells, stiff muscles and jerking movements of the arms and legs.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Avoid jerking the floss or aggressive movements; instead, use smooth, gentle motions.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Working from his own screenplay, Cronin barrels over the gaping plot holes — a doctor might have some thoughts here — and gets to the good stuff with the family at home in squirm-inducing close quarters, a live-in demon resting in her bedroom.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Visibly anxious and more than a little drunk, Emma proceeds to offer up a confession that marks the point of no return in writer-director Kristoffer Borgli’s divisive squirm comedy.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The first huddle of a summer Chiefs practice Thursday began with something of a trademark — the right-hand fingers of quarterback Patrick Mahomes wiggling in the air, requesting a play call.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
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The dancing and wiggling Mini Pi Plus robot from High Torque of China, for instance, still can’t help at an auto plant or do your dishes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squirming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirming. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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