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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

squirms

2 of 2

noun

plural of squirm
as in locomotions

Related Words

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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
  1. fidgets
  2. dislocations
  3. tosses
  4. motions
  5. twitches
  6. jerks
  7. wiggles
  8. writhes
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
Noun
  • Its physical, psychological, and temporal dislocations often precede the possibility of narration itself.
    — Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Goalkeepers endure frequent upper limb trauma, like finger dislocations, from high-force ball impacts, necessitating robust glove protection.
    — Dr. Tal Patalon, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of dislocations
Verb
  • Philip Marlowe as Chandler’s private eye is a smooth talking, whiskey-drinking character who tosses suggestive suggestions and 38 revolvers around with equal aplomb.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The grandfather is seen running around a few trees, but the bison soon catches up and tosses the helpless visitor eight feet in the air.
    — Suzanne Yeo, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Definition of tosses
Noun
  • Plus, its gravity ball moves along the track smoothly, which helps promote a nice rhythm to your motions.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Separate motions also challenge the government’s legal theory and assert newsgathering protections.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of motions
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
  • Buttermilk the cow is an interactive toy that sings, wiggles its ears, and teaches little ones animal sounds.
    — Anja Webb, Parents, 28 Nov. 2025
  • His body wiggles with excitement, signaling his tail is wagging.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Definition of wiggles
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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Cite this Entry

“Squirms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirms. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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