as in to fidget
to make jerky or restless movements
the toddler squirmed the whole time we were in the waiting room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in squirming
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 squirm
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
That kind of thing makes a checker squirm.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
In this case, the device was able to suck in part of the worm's tail and drag it out—still squirming.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squirm
Verb
Even the normally surefire element of a score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, with its blasts of dissonance pumping up the squirm factor, adds to the heavy-going effect of a movie that seems to go out of its way to be grating.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
That kind of thing makes a checker squirm.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
When Brian and Murtagh report that Dougal offended the Grants and Colum had to promise Ellen’s hand to appease the situation, Lord Lovat squirms.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
In this case, the device was able to suck in part of the worm's tail and drag it out—still squirming.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirm
Verb
-
The man fidgets, shifts around in his seat and fixates on Zarutska before pulling out a small knife and striking her multiple times around her neck.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Applause intermingled with tears as the families of the Camp Mystic campers and counselors looked on, many with small children fidgeting in their Sunday-best attire behind the governor.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
My hand twitched toward the phone, muscle memory stronger than willpower.—
Maggie Downs,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Jones’ raw traits have always been jaw-dropping — a 6-foot-6 defensive end who can combine an edge rusher’s twitch with an interior lineman’s power.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Throughout the writhing and the screaming, Julia’s fortitude wears down a defiant Davina, whose history with Lovat feeds the moment.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Mash it up, smear it on toast, toss it in a salad, or eat it straight.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Judge tosses two murder charges related to acts of terrorism against Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO last year.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Patients first experience twitching or weakness in a limb, often followed by slurred speech.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With an epic Oscar-winning title song by Streisand and tear-jerking scenes aplenty, this film is a perennial favorite and often referred to in pop culture.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
-
One video posted to the social platform X appeared to show Kirk addressing the students, at one point speaking about gang violence, before being struck near the neck and later jerking to his left side.—
Caroline Vakil,
The Hill,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lopez allowed runs in the first and fifth innings, but each time wiggled out of what could have been big trouble.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Give the culprit a small spritz, let sit for a second, and then carefully wiggle the zipper back and forth while pulling up or down as needed.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Now scientists have found that, with a little fiddling, the feathers can be adjusted to turn flashes of light into laser beams.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Life’s hard enough, and if facial fiddling is music to your ears, have at it.—
Valerie Monroe,
Allure,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirm. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share