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 Democrats loved it; Republicans looked on, squirming in their seats as if they’d accidentally been forced to sit through the Democratic National Convention. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024 The couple’s 5-year-old son, Prince Louis, has become a latter-day version of a young Harry, squirming and making faces at solemn occasions. Mark Landler, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024 In front of her, several 3-year-olds squirmed on a colorful rug. Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2023 Schreiber’s gruff, salt-of-the-earth Flynn lacks a threatening underside, like a rock without worms squirming beneath. Naveen Kumar, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 What happens next in the final minutes of The Vanishing will leave viewers squirming in their seats and hoping against hope for our vulnerable leading man. EW.com, 16 Oct. 2023 The ball squirmed inside the right post despite Gonzalez's attempt to keep it out. CiarÁn Fahey, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 The viscerally uncomfortable-with-red-carpets actor shifted and squirmed as he was asked about the possibility about a Succession spinoff. Vulture, 7 Jan. 2024 Wild celebrations The Emirates erupted as Trossard’s shot squirmed into the net, with Arteta leading the party from the touchline. Ben Church, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squirm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near squirm

Cite this Entry

“Squirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squirm. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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