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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in squirming
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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
Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 Apr. 2026 Did the answers — and unknowns — make people hesitate and squirm? —Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 Packed with numerous squirm-worthy scenes and strong commentary on impossible beauty standards, this film is best watched when the clock strikes midnight. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for squirm
Verb
If the goal is to make audiences squirm, Levinson certainly succeeds. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 Apr. 2026 Did the answers — and unknowns — make people hesitate and squirm? —Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
Working from his own screenplay, Cronin barrels over the gaping plot holes — a doctor might have some thoughts here — and gets to the good stuff with the family at home in squirm-inducing close quarters, a live-in demon resting in her bedroom. —Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 Packed with numerous squirm-worthy scenes and strong commentary on impossible beauty standards, this film is best watched when the clock strikes midnight. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for squirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirm
Verb
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As the court moved to watch the KSTU-TV segment, Tyler Robinson appeared to begin fidgeting, with one of his hands moving and rubbing his fingers back and forth.— Stepheny Price , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
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When fastened, the zippers are locked in place, and pickpockets would have to fidget for a moment to get the gadget undone, giving you time to react.— Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jost proceeded to read them — as usual squirming while doing it.— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Pebbles twitched, branches waggled, cholla wiggled, weeds erupted then dried up and died.— Alina Hartounian, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
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The launch can also be viewed on NASA's social media platforms include Facebook, twitch and X as well as NASA+, the agency's streaming service.— Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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Javier Assad bounced back after allowing nine runs on 11 hits against the Phillies in his previous outing last Monday by tossing 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball.— Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
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The way the Met has chosen to deal with this is to toss the Vatican frescoes onto all four walls of a side room via projector.— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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During this phase, octopuses display visible twitching along with rapid changes in skin color and texture, per NPR.— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
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Gosnell did not testify at his 2013 trial, but his defense attorney argued that none of the fetuses were born alive and that any movements were posthumous twitching or spasms, according to the AP.— Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The plane jerked to a stop as two trucks passed just feet in front of its nose.— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
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In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Arndt allowed baserunners in each of the first five innings but wiggled out of most of the jams.— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
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Pebbles twitched, branches waggled, cholla wiggled, weeds erupted then dried up and died.— Alina Hartounian, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/squirm. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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