as in writhing
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as in fidgeting
to make jerky or restless movements
the toddler squirmed the whole time we were in the waiting room
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Recent Examples of squirming
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025
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
Hungry birds looking for dozens of squirming caterpillars a day to feed their young can easily find the insects on oak trees.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
Dripping with atmosphere, Grace Presse’s portrait of a woman haunted by a sleep paralysis demon was genuinely creepy — punctuated by one perverse scene that had the audience squirming in their seats.
—William Earl, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
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.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Still, Sabbath sounded amazing, the band’s distinctive vibe of limitless cosmic encumbrance, of Man squirming under the thumb of Fate, God, madness—the essential heavy-metal vision—somehow magnified by the venerable wobbliness of its playing.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
With net in hand, the future microbial geochemist dredged up seaweed and mud squirming with snails, crab larvae and other small invertebrates.
—Laura Poppick, Quanta Magazine, 20 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
Noun
Jost proceeded to read them — as usual squirming while doing it.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
Hungry birds looking for dozens of squirming caterpillars a day to feed their young can easily find the insects on oak trees.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
Dripping with atmosphere, Grace Presse’s portrait of a woman haunted by a sleep paralysis demon was genuinely creepy — punctuated by one perverse scene that had the audience squirming in their seats.
—William Earl, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
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.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Still, Sabbath sounded amazing, the band’s distinctive vibe of limitless cosmic encumbrance, of Man squirming under the thumb of Fate, God, madness—the essential heavy-metal vision—somehow magnified by the venerable wobbliness of its playing.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
With net in hand, the future microbial geochemist dredged up seaweed and mud squirming with snails, crab larvae and other small invertebrates.
—Laura Poppick, Quanta Magazine, 20 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squirming
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
-
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
Noun
-
After 10 weeks without food, Muraisi is experiencing involuntary muscular twitching and severe chest pains, according to Prisoners for Palestine, with her doctors warning of possible cardiovascular collapse.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Patients first experience twitching or weakness in a limb, as Decker did.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
16 Dec. 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
-
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
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
As the options for facial fiddling have become more accessible, the face is increasingly regarded as an image to be perfected.—
Valerie Monroe,
Allure,
15 Jan. 2026
-
For those deep in the Apple ecosystem who want headphones that just work without all the fiddling, the Beats Solo 4 make sense with a 25% discount.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squirming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirming. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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