squirm

1 of 2

verb

ˈskwərm 

squirmed; squirming; squirms

intransitive verb

: to twist about like a worm : fidget

squirm noun

squirmy

ˈskwər-mē 

adjective

squirmy

2 of 2

adjective

-mē 

-mi

-er/-est

: given to or characterized by squirming

the only other major horror of the barber business … is squirmy kids

—G. S. Perry

Synonyms of squirm

Verb

• fidget
• twitch
• toss
• jerk
• wiggle
• writhe
• tremble
• twist
• shiver

Examples of squirm in a Sentence

Verb

The baby squirmed a lot when I tried to hold him.

She squirmed under her father's angry stare.

The children squirmed with delight.

He tried to hold onto her but she squirmed free.

The frog squirmed out of his hands.

The gory details of the story had me squirming in my seat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Laura squirmed under her mother’s gaze, willed the light to turn green. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

American Horror Story loves nothing more than making viewers squirm. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2026

The preview ends with a heart-swelling image of Osbourne smiling and squirming with joy in his throne. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026

The kitten appears to be squirming in his alleged captor’s arms in surveillance footage of the incident, which Innab reviewed after Jabal’s disappearance. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Adjective

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1691, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for squirm

• berm
• ferm
• firm
• germ
• herm
• sperm
• term
• therm
• worm
• wurm
• affirm
• bookworm

Kids Definition

squirm

verb

ˈskwərm 

1

: to twist about like an eel or a worm

squirmed in their seats

2

: to feel very embarrassed

undeserved praise made us squirm

squirmy

ˈskwər-mē 

adjective