SQUIRMY Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

squirmy

adjective

Definition of squirmy

as in wiggly

making jerky or restless movements a squirmy baby

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 squirmy Another personal fear Chase infused into the script was his dislike of dentists, which leads to several squirmy big-screen moments. — William Earl, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 The screwworm is actually a parasitic fly named for its larvae, which look like squirmy worms. — Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026 Simply set out bowls of coffee grounds among your outdoor seating areas to prevent ants, mosquitoes, fruit flies, and squirmy critters from crashing your barbecue. — Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 17 June 2026 Fjord is a squirmy drama in which Stan and Renate Reinsve play a married couple who move with their five children from Romania to Norway to be closer to Reinsve’s mother, only to draw the interest of child protective services when a teacher at school spots bruises on one of the kids. — Rachel Handler, Vulture, 26 May 2026 With that disclosure out in the open, the rest of the squirmy attendees subtly sank deeper into their seats, accepting Steinem’s orbit as a safe space. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Apr. 2026 One of them is a squirmy, intensely relatable dark comedy about the escalating horrors of planning a wedding. — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026 Adding to the action is a colorful, squirmy worm that will get kids laughing and moving. — Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirmy

Adjective

Black Hills South Dakota Most Midwesterners have to commit at least a week of vacation time to reaching and exploring western South Dakota’s squiggly, wiggly, scenic-drive paradise.

— Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 12 Sep. 2026
Other vipers are known to flick their tails, especially baby vipers with bright green or neon yellow tail tips that might appear like a wiggly worm to unsuspecting frogs.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of wiggly

Adjective

Most of the time, Mark just flails, complains, and pouts like a giant baby, and Affleck’s twitchy, rapid-fire delivery can’t give the character any life or depth.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
This Hansen feels like a twitchy, touchy embodiment of true-crime ambition.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of twitchy

Adjective

Legend has it Michael Jackson asked his security to keep fans away from him at a local dive bar, only to become upset when the locals were all too good at treating him like a normal person.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Ultimately, after he was found out to be a con artist, according to his critics, Minnesota media appears to be more so upset that Jamal was not acting in the Somali community’s best interests.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of upset

Adjective

Both players are wriggly, elusive dribblers.

— Luke Bosher, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Medieval Christians looked at the very same phenomenon and imagined it as a reflection of divine will, the transformation of a wriggly worm into a flying jewel an earthly reminder of the transfiguration of Jesus to Christ.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025

Definition of wriggly

Adjective

Not that the type of people staying here are worried about getting anywhere; this is the private car and driver, door-to-door service type of clientele.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
But instead of celebrating that success, Andi is worried she’ll be seen as an opportunist rather than a legitimate co-author.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of worried

Adjective

Everyone was in a good mood, if a little nervous about what was going to be discussed.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Alberto Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban national with lawful permanent residence in the United States, was also acting nervous, the agent said.

— David Goodhue October 6, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of nervous

Adjective

As in the thriller, anxious local leaders debated whether publicizing the peril would scare off tourists.

— Bob Drogin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Because of these risks, many conservation groups and lawmakers are anxious to see permanent protections.

— Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026