wiggle 1 of 2

verb

ˈwi-gəl How to pronounce wiggle (audio)
Definition of wigglenext
as in to fidget
to make jerky or restless movements the baby wiggled in her sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wiggle

2 of 2

noun

as in shake

Related Words

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 wiggle
Verb
Like fainting, craving pickles, or struggling to wiggle into skinny jeans, vomiting, in the cultural imagination, is a stand-in for imminent motherhood, as legible as any pregnancy test. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026 Punk eventually tried to go for the GTS, but Rhodes wiggled out and caught Punk in a headlock. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
The property is located right next to a playground and creek to get the wiggles out, and the infinity pool is a favorite. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026 The bolt that holds the rack to the trailer hitch receiver gets nice and tight, eliminating the wiggle and clang-and-bang that an old hand-me-down rack tends to have. — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for wiggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wiggle
  1. fidget
  2. shake
  3. twitch
  4. jiggle
  5. squirm
  6. flick
  7. toss
  8. jerk
Verb
  • Following this concern, 55% of parents said their top concern was their child’s ability to complete multistep tasks such as homework while 45% of parents cited fidgeting.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The current boom is driven by Gen Z’s openness about mental health, social-commerce virality on TikTok and Etsy, and a broader nervous-system regulation movement that treats fidgeting as a legitimate coping tool rather than a bad habit.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of fidget
Noun
  • He was also fed a penguin shake of blended water, krill, herring and vitamins.
    — Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Now whey protein is collected during the cheese-making process and lines grocery store aisles in the form of protein powders, shakes and bars.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • The 5-11, 210-pounder is a sudden cutter who runs with power and twitch, attacking space like a great punt returner.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The muscles in Lola Petticrew’s face twitch ever so slightly, indicating Catherine’s excitement that the police are now in possession of this picture.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of twitch
Noun
  • Before putting the jiggle in green Jell-O, Ariana Richards was already shaking things up as a child actress.
    — Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
  • Japanese-style cheesecakes, sometimes called soufflé cheesecakes, have risen in popularity in recent years thanks, in part, to social media, where their jiggle and airy texture have helped turn the pie into a viral treat.
    — Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Definition of jiggle
Verb
  • Where Raphael’s infant Christ is plump, acquiescent, docile, Cassatt’s children squirm, resist, and ignore authority.
    — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Its defenders will have to do better than making Infantino squirm.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of squirm
Noun
  • Details such as this emerge while watching this merely serviceable maritime action flick, whose plot is so boilerplate, and whose characters so unidimensional, that there’s not much else to take interest in.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Which is why her character flicks through YouTube plastic surgery videos and stares at older women on the bus, comparing her wrinkles and checking her neck for any signs of sagging.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of flick
Verb
  • Luis Arraez homered, Garrett Stubbs had two hits and an RBI and Aaron Nola tossed seven strong innings as the Philadelphia Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, 4-1 on Wednesday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer pasta to a heatproof bowl and immediately toss with 2 Tbsp.
    — Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of toss
Noun
  • In Show Must Go On, the comedian embraces his own compassion by pretending to be a jerk.
    — Britina Cheng, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • That screwed up the works / And not due to his sloppy hiring / Of a crew of incompetent jerks.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of jerk

Phrases Containing wiggle

Browse Nearby Words

wigging (out)
wiggle
wiggled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wiggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wiggle. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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