squirming 1 of 2

noun

as in writhing

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squirming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of squirm
as in fidgeting
to make jerky or restless movements the toddler squirmed the whole time we were in the waiting room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 squirming
Noun
Jost proceeded to read them — as usual squirming while doing it. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025
Verb
With the contact patch sliding and squirming, the brakes had less to work with—and the car took just enough extra distance to end in an impact. — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirming
  1. writhing
  2. fidgeting
  3. twitching
  4. tossing
  5. wriggling
  6. jerking
  7. squirm
  8. wiggling
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
Definition of writhing
Verb
  • In addition to having lofty themes, this is also a fairly rousing adventure with enough visual panache to keep any kid from fidgeting in his seat.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 June 2026
  • Pekara said hospital surveillance footage captured him fidgeting under the blanket.
    — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of fidgeting
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
Definition of twitching
Verb
  • López also recommends tossing a flowy dress over the suit or tying a sarong as a dress cover-up.
    — Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 16 July 2026
  • Situated between busier coastal destinations this idyllic town and its marshes will immediately transport you back to your early carefree days playing in creeks, digging in pluff mud, catching crawfish, and tossing cast nets.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
Definition of tossing
Noun
  • 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
Definition of wriggling
Verb
  • Watching their relationship devolve (never more so than when their sperm donor, a rakish, motorcycle-driving restaurant owner played by Mark Ruffalo, enters the scene) is most definitely a tear-jerking experience, as is the film’s final scene.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026
  • Some were petty — like Reese committing a foul against Clark, then jerking her head back, impersonating Clark as a flopper.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of jerking
Noun
  • But the song is sweet and sincere without being twee, and just as in every scenario that could go either way, we are denied the comedic pressure valve that might release a little of the squirm.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of squirm
Verb
  • Getting both aligned so the cover properly locked took some wiggling on my part.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026
  • Pull Gently Once the soil is broken up, use your hands to grab the carrots where the greens meet the root, and pull straight up while wiggling slightly.
    — Aviva Patz, Martha Stewart, 16 June 2026
Definition of wiggling

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Cite this Entry

“Squirming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirming. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on squirming

Nglish: Translation of squirming for Spanish Speakers

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