1
as in twitching
to make jerky or restless movements
a pediatrician's waiting room full of squiggling toddlers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scribbling
to write or draw hastily or carelessly
there are some illegible notes squiggled in the margins of the old book
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squiggling
Verb
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But the Missouri was always a wild river twitching its bed from side to side across its flood plain.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026 -
Harnessing the camp of countless Drag Race acting challenges that came before her, Jujubee films a close-up reaction to a group of rowdy passengers reprimanding her, escalating the moment until her face is full-on twitching before a physical confrontation.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Quatisha Maycock, 5, had just learned how to write her name and practiced scribbling it every day up until she was thrown into the Everglades and left to be eaten by alligators.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2026
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No more scribbling names on napkins and losing them later.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There is another issue, of course, squirming away in the soft flesh of maternity leave.—
Nell Frizzell,
Vogue,
13 Jan. 2026
-
An annual tradition in the legal circle, as well as his UCLA symposium sit-downs, the hourlong speech from the predominantly softspoken Ziffren clearly had a few attendees squirming in their seats near the end.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Whether that’s going to see a show, tossing some axes, cuddling with some cats at a café or racing down the slopes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
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In a small skillet, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter, add hash brown squares and cook, tossing often, until crispy.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The room sighs in relief a second later when Buckley reanimates, jerking and flailing like a soul possessed, grinning maniacally — all on purpose, inspired by the earlier veil snafu.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Feb. 2026
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Some signs that the carburetor is clogged on a snow blower are starting then dying a few seconds afterward, jerking, sputtering noises, and black smoke emitting from the exhaust.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Minimal but purposeful movement, avoiding fidgeting or excessive gestures, shows intention.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Cole, wearing a khaki jumpsuit, spent much of the hearing sitting quietly and attentively as the parties argued, occasionally adjusting his glasses or fidgeting slightly in his chair.—
Gary Grumbach,
NBC news,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The haters will come out in force after your Super Bowl performance — misrepresenting your intentions, twisting your words and actions to suit their agenda.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
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The frontal plane is your side-to-side movements, and the transverse plane is twisting movements.—
Sarah Klein,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dakar captures their tractor turning over the earth and storks swooping down for wiggling worms to feed their young.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
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The high-protein hype has reached a fever pitch, and Parmesan cheese is wiggling its way into the cultural conversation.—
Michele Ross,
SELF,
20 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Squiggling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squiggling. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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