SQUIRMING Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

squirming 1 of 2

noun

as in writhing

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Dissimilar Words

squirming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of squirm

as in fidgeting

to make jerky or restless movements the toddler squirmed the whole time we were in the waiting room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 squirming

Noun

Jost proceeded to read them — as usual squirming while doing it. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025

Verb

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 The man is seen swooping in, cradling Jabal, who seems to be squirming in the man's arms. — Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 13 Sep. 2026 With the contact patch sliding and squirming, the brakes had less to work with—and the car took just enough extra distance to end in an impact. — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Unless your companion could use a hand or is traveling with young kids (in the latter case, if this person also happens to be your spouse or partner, really not cool to leave them with the stroller, diaper bag, squirming kids). — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 The player who was hit by the cart immediately grabbed his thigh and knee area while squirming in pain on the ground. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 The snakes continue squirming in his grasp, and one bites him. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 26 May 2026 The boy is screaming, squirming. — Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026

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

Definition of writhing

Verb

Following this concern, 55% of parents said their top concern was their child’s ability to complete multistep tasks such as homework while 45% of parents cited fidgeting.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026
The current boom is driven by Gen Z’s openness about mental health, social-commerce virality on TikTok and Etsy, and a broader nervous-system regulation movement that treats fidgeting as a legitimate coping tool rather than a bad habit.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of fidgeting

Verb

And like any great sitcom, Friends runs the gamut from numbing brain-rot to tear-jerking sentimentality.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 9 Sep. 2026
Even after a bailiff woke him up, Martin slumped over in his wheelchair, inside a courtroom bullpen, occasionally jerking and opening his eyes.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of jerking

Noun

But the song is sweet and sincere without being twee, and just as in every scenario that could go either way, we are denied the comedic pressure valve that might release a little of the squirm.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2026
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

Definition of squirm

Verb

Intravenous lines can fail for several reasons, like a needle and catheter not being properly placed in a vein or wiggling out of place — or a vein rupturing and letting blood and IV fluid leak into tissue surrounding the IV site.

— Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Upon closer examination, beats like the ones that Fleming’s team described turned out to reflect not quantum coherence, but a resonance between wiggling molecular bonds.

— Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of wiggling

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“Squirming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squirming. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of squirming

noun

verb

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