SQUIRMS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

squirms 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of squirm

as in fidgets

to make jerky or restless movements the toddler squirmed the whole time we were in the waiting room

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squirms

2 of 2

noun

plural of squirm

as in locomotions

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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 squirms

Verb

The 420 Sport jostles and squirms on these surfaces at low speeds, but the payoff is unfiltered, no-nonsense feedback. — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirms

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

A student tosses a metal barrier during a protest at Strasbourg University in eastern France on Friday.

— Reuters, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Love finished 16 of 29 for 145 yards with TD tosses to Christian Watson and MarShawn Lloyd for the Packers, whose six-game skid — including the playoffs — was their longest since dropping seven in a row spanning the 1990 and 1991 seasons.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of tosses

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

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

The cobra seems angry and writhes and attacks, and the handler holds the snake at bay, looking like a man who has made poor lifestyle choices and therefore deserves whatever is coming courtesy of his snake pal.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Reid writhes in front of Zaman, sticking out his tongue in one take, running his hand down his body in another, all while a gigantic technocrane zooms overhead.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026

Definition of writhes

Browse Nearby Words

squirming

squirms

squirmy

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“Squirms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirms. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of squirms

verb

noun

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