squirm

American  

[skwurm] / skwɜrm /

verb (used without object)

1. to wriggle or writhe.

   Synonyms:

   twist, turn

2. to feel or display discomfort or distress, as from reproof, embarrassment, pain, etc..

   He squirmed under the judge's questioning.

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noun

1. the act of squirming; a squirming or wriggling movement.

squirm British  

/ skwɜːm /

verb

1. to move with a wriggling motion; writhe

2. to feel deep mental discomfort, guilt, embarrassment, etc

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noun

1. a squirming movement

Other Word Forms

• squirmer noun
• squirming adjective
• squirmingly adverb
• unsquirming adjective

Etymology

Origin of squirm

First recorded in 1685–95; of expressive origin, perhaps echoing worm

Example Sentences

It would be easy to take Emma’s confession as a simple cinematic provocation, a tone-deaf narrative device intended to make viewers squirm in their seats.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Eight years later, he’s back in office, and giving soccer fans eager to watch the tournament this summer good reasons to squirm.

From Slate • Jan. 28, 2026

In her second year in a row as host, Nikki Glaser looked at ease in the job of making celebrities squirm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

Elsewhere, the audio drops out completely, replaced by the noise of a ticking clock that lingers just long enough to make the viewer squirm in their seat.

From Salon • Sep. 25, 2025

I let him squirm for longer than necessary before I took the card.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

Related Words

• flounder
• writhe