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View synonyms for squirm

squirm

[ skwurm ]

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.



noun

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

squirm

/ skwɜːm /

verb

  1. to move with a wriggling motion; writhe
  2. to feel deep mental discomfort, guilt, embarrassment, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. a squirming movement
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈsquirmer, noun
  • ˈsquirming, adjective
  • ˈsquirmingly, adverb
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Other Words From

  • squirmer noun
  • squirming·ly adverb
  • un·squirming adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of squirm1

First recorded in 1685–95; of expressive origin, perhaps echoing worm
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Word History and Origins

Origin of squirm1

C17: of imitative origin (perhaps influenced by worm )
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Example Sentences

I started to squirm in my chair and Jimbo put his hand back on my shoulder to settle me down.

Even with several judges on her payroll, Mandelbaum was not able to squirm out of the charges.

His relationship with ex-wife Effi Barry is squirm-inducing.

The negotiator added that she told him she “liked to watch them squirm around after they had been shot.”

Moments like these could cause ticket-buyers to squirm or, perhaps, reflect on their own capacity to overlook and forgive.

He was losing hold of himself, and roaring like a bull and flinging out taunts that made 'em squirm.

She sat down to compose a letter which should make Mr. Robert Ross, alias wretch, squirm in agony.

I was afraid of my life he would clutch at my skirts as he fell or squirm up against me after he was down.

Whereupon Andy smoked relishfully and in silence, and from the tail of his eye watched his audience squirm with impatience.

He tried to withdraw the key, but now Macklin began to squirm worse than ever, and he had hard work to master the fellow.

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