Synonyms of wriggling

wriggling 1 of 2

noun

as in writhing

Related Words

• writhing
• squirming
• twitching
• fiddling
• squirm
• fidgeting
• locomotion
• mobility
• motility
• flapping
• waving
• flailing
• migration
• shifting
• motion
• dislocation
• relocation
• stirring
• motivity
• movement
• move
• shift
• stir

Dissimilar Words

• immobility
• inertia
• motionlessness
• stillness
• stop
• termination
• pause
• finish
• halt
• ending
• cessation
• expiration
• lapse
• shutdown
• stoppage
• inertness
• discontinuance
• surcease
• shutoff

wriggling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wriggle

1

as in squirming

to make jerky or restless movements

a toddler wriggling in his seat all throughout the church service

Synonyms & Similar Words

• squirming
• twitching
• fidgeting
• tossing
• jerking
• wiggling
• writhing
• twisting
• fiddling
• trembling
• shivering
• jiggling
• jigging
• shaking
• squiggling
• quivering
• thrashing
• fluttering
• threshing
• flitting
• shuddering
• quaking
• twittering
• pacing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resting
• relaxing
• unwinding
• calming (down)
• stilling

2

as in crawling

to move slowly with the body close to the ground

a worm slowly wriggled across the sidewalk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crawling
• creeping
• sliding
• snaking
• slithering
• crouching
• tiptoeing
• squatting
• groveling
• sneaking
• worming
• bellying
• stealing
• inching
• edging
• skulking
• nosing

3

as in infiltrating

to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way

within a month of his arrival, this social upstart had wriggled himself into the family's good graces

Synonyms & Similar Words

• infiltrating
• sneaking
• inserting
• slipping
• winding
• working in
• worming
• wiggling
• introducing
• insinuating
• creeping
• edging
• interpolating
• interposing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wriggling

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

Verb

Wrapped in red, white and blue, and with fine-grain sand wedged between his wriggling toes, Edward didn’t want the night to end. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

For his part, Sherman, a long-time champion of wriggling remedies, cheered the clearance as a step forward for MDT generally. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026

Reaching out hands to help the suffering, Didi and Gogo go down themselves—all mankind a wriggling heap. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026

The predator can breathe air, survive out of water and walk (more of a wriggling, snake-like motion) on land for at least four days. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 June 2026

Piles of wriggling janitor fish filled red barrels along the reservoir — tangible proof that something, at last, was being done. — ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026

And, of course, finding anything wriggling around in your box of cereal or cornmeal is definitely upsetting. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026

Authorities on Tuesday reportedly apprehended the Michigan woman who went viral after wriggling her way through a police cruiser window while still handcuffed in a daring getaway, according to local outlets. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026

Around them, a dozen children sunk into their parents’ laps — giggling, wriggling and delighted by the story. — Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026