squirm

[ skwurm ]

/ skwɜrm /

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See synonyms for: squirm / squirming on Thesaurus.com

Definition of squirm

verb (used without object)

to wriggle or writhe.

to feel or display discomfort or distress, as from reproof, embarrassment, pain, etc.: He squirmed under the judge's questioning.

noun

the act of squirming; a squirming or wriggling movement.

OTHER WORDS FOR squirm

1 turn, twist.

See synonyms for squirm on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of squirm

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

OTHER WORDS FROM squirm

squirmer, nounsquirm·ing·ly, adverbun·squirm·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use squirm in a sentence

Where Silver had stood and delivered, Goodell simply squirmed and quibbled.
Roger Goodell’s TV Disaster Shows What’s Wrong With The NFL|Lloyd Grove|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He looked especially phony when talking about undocumented workers “self-deporting” and squirmed when asked about his tax returns.
Paul Begala: The Strangely Silent Jan. 23 Debate in Tampa|Paul Begala|January 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The remarkable woman squirmed a little, fearing lest he should kiss her ringers, but nevertheless gave him a gracious smile.
Overland|John William De Forest
Working noiselessly as possible I soon squirmed out into the refreshing evening air and lay motionless.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter

The reptile squirmed, but could not get away, and in a few seconds more it was killed.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
She and the Boss laid Freckles in the trough and poured on hot water until he squirmed.
Freckles|Gene Stratton-Porter
After he had squirmed for a foot or so, he would stop and listen to see if the regular breathing of the man on the bed continued.
The Ranger Boys and the Border Smugglers|Claude A. Labelle

British Dictionary definitions for squirm

squirm

/ (skwɜːm) /

verb (intr)

to move with a wriggling motion; writhe

to feel deep mental discomfort, guilt, embarrassment, etc

noun

a squirming movement

Derived forms of squirm

squirmer, nounsquirming, adjectivesquirmingly, adverb

Word Origin for squirm

C17: of imitative origin (perhaps influenced by worm)

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

squirm

Definition of squirm

OTHER WORDS FOR squirm

Origin of squirm

OTHER WORDS FROM squirm

Words related to squirm

How to use squirm in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for squirm

Derived forms of squirm

Word Origin for squirm