as in to fidget
to make jerky or restless movements
the toddler squirmed the whole time we were in the waiting room
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as in squirming
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of squirm
Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 7 Aug. 2024
The pediatric dentist must use his or her unique expertise to make split-second decisions when a six-year-old child is squirming in the chair.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Lauren Goode: At this point, Zuckerberg is squirming in his seat.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Other images showed Frankel, who wore a red beanie, kissing their newborn daughter as Sidibe rested her head on his shoulder, carrying their squirming baby boy.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for squirm 
Verb
Photo: Larry Malvin Photography Town officials squirmed, anticipating public reaction.
—Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 7 Aug. 2024
The pediatric dentist must use his or her unique expertise to make split-second decisions when a six-year-old child is squirming in the chair.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Lauren Goode: At this point, Zuckerberg is squirming in his seat.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Other images showed Frankel, who wore a red beanie, kissing their newborn daughter as Sidibe rested her head on his shoulder, carrying their squirming baby boy.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for squirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirm
Verb
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However, there are downsides, as a dog may fidget or snore at night, which may disrupt your sleep cycle.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
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At exactly noon on New Year’s Day, about 20 people braced their feet against the silty shore of Lake Natoma, hopping and fidgeting to warm themselves.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacramento Bee,
1 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As the omen begins to descend onto Karen’s house, the hairs of the mermaids’ arms stand up; their scales twitch in fear.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
16 Dec. 2024
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Not the American economy, which twitched from panic to triumph to panic and, in 1907, had to be bailed out with private funds from Morgan and his associates.—
Jackson Arn,
The New Yorker,
21 Nov. 2024
Verb
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One of several civil lawsuits filed in New York claiming that two brothers considered titans in the luxury real estate industry raped a woman as a third brother watched, was tossed by a federal judge Wednesday.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2025
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Seeing a player with the chops of Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion with 11 Tour wins, ranked No. 4 in the world, tossed about like a rag doll on the North Course.—
Bryce Miller,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Previously the two were able to disable brakes, honk the horn, jerk the seat belt, and control the steering wheel using a laptop in the back of both a Toyota Prius and Ford Escape.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
28 Dec. 2024
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Dad nodded his approval again and the kid did as instructed, reflexively jerking his hand away as the starter began to churn the 117-cubic inch motor.—
William Roberson,
Forbes,
16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Looking into the brain of a mouse that runs around and wiggles during sleep, though, wasn’t easy.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
20 Jan. 2025
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Best Early Black Friday Amazon Outdoor Toy Deals Get your kids moving with outdoor toys like this wiggling ride toy, now 38% off, or the nostalgic Little Tikes First Slide that’s now under $30.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The fiddling pays off when the fresh herb vinaigrette dresses a mix of Iceberg lettuce and one of the mixed greens combos sold in the marketplace.—
Cathy Thomas,
Orange County Register,
13 Jan. 2025
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Such is always the case with this sort of self-interested fiddling.—
Eric Gordy,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Oct. 2018
Verb
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Shortly after injecting the substance, Sparkle (Demi Moore, who just picked up her first-ever Golden Globe for the role) is writhing on her bathroom floor.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Jan. 2025
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Ivey immediately fell to the ground and was writhing in pain, even grabbing a referee’s leg in discomfort at one point.—
Hunter Patterson,
The Athletic,
1 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Ali studied the medal for a moment, smiled and lifted it to his lips with his right hand — his left hand trembling steadily — and kissed it.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
17 Jan. 2025
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Anxious dogs and cats may pace around a room, tremble, shed fur, or compulsively vomit up meals.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near squirm
Cite this Entry
“Squirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirm. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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