squirm

verb

squirmed; squirming; squirms

intransitive verb

: to twist about like a worm : fidget
squirm noun
squirmy adjective

Examples of squirm in a Sentence

The baby squirmed a lot when I tried to hold him. She squirmed under her father's angry stare. The children squirmed with delight. He tried to hold onto her but she squirmed free. The frog squirmed out of his hands. The gory details of the story had me squirming in my seat.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Joseph Quinn, the terrific British actor from A Quiet Place: Day One and Gladiator 2 (and our next Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four: First Steps), spends the bulk of this picture squirming in torment, emitting ear-splitting noises from deep within the pits of hell. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025 The sixth episode of The White Lotus Season 3 has critics stunned—and in some cases, squirming—after a grim hour that pushed creator Mike White's pitch-black satire to new depths. Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025 During the screening, the audience squirmed in their seats, gasping many times at the jaw-dropping stunts and quite shocking injuries that occurred, and ultimately, standing to applaud at the end as five of the seven Storror members and Bay left the crowd to head backstage. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025 The match looked to be heading for a draw but Jorgensen somehow allowed an Asensio volley to squirm underneath him in the 89th minute. Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squirm

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1691, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squirm was circa 1691

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squirm. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

squirm

verb
1
: to twist about like an eel or a worm
squirmed in their seats
2
: to feel very embarrassed
undeserved praise made us squirm
squirmy adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on squirm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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