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

I try to squirm away from my sister’s grasp, but her fingers sink into my skin like talons.

From Literature

The conditions were near farcical, the ball frequently squirming through fingers and set-pieces a mess, with Scotland making the lion's share of blunders.

From BBC

"Hold still, ho-o-old still," crooned Herbert Thatcher to the squirming mass of brown and yellow fur in his hands.

From Literature

But he squirmed his way through a celebratory montage of his biggest songs.

From BBC

Honnold, who is married with two young children, knows that watching his climb will make viewers squirm.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• flounder
• writhe