verb
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to move with a wriggling motion; writhe
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to feel deep mental discomfort, guilt, embarrassment, etc
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of squirm
First recorded in 1685–95; of expressive origin, perhaps echoing worm
Explanation
To squirm is to wiggle or twist your body, the way an excited puppy will squirm when you try to hold him in your arms. Small children and animals squirm from excitement or eagerness, while uncomfortable adults also sometimes squirm: "She was so upset by her friends' argument that she started to squirm in her chair." When the word squirm first appeared in the 17th century, it was used specifically to talk about eels. Experts aren't sure of its roots, but some guess squirm is connected to worm or swarm.
Vocabulary lists containing squirm
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Honnold, who is married with two young children, knows that watching his climb will make viewers squirm.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
“It’s better than the trophy…watching them squirm and having to just be the butt of all the jokes,” said Solomonson, who is on edge since he’s currently near the bottom of the standings.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 7, 2025
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 smelled the antiseptic and tried to squirm away.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
