squirm
to wriggle or writhe.
to feel or display discomfort or distress, as from reproof, embarrassment, pain, etc.: He squirmed under the judge's questioning.
the act of squirming; a squirming or wriggling movement.
Origin of squirm
1Other words for squirm
Other words from squirm
- squirmer, noun
- squirm·ing·ly, adverb
- un·squirm·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 | THE DAILY BEASTHe 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 | THE DAILY BEASTThe remarkable woman squirmed a little, fearing lest he should kiss her ringers, but nevertheless gave him a gracious smile.
Overland | John William De ForestWorking noiselessly as possible I soon squirmed out into the refreshing evening air and lay motionless.
A Virginia Scout | Hugh PendexterThe 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-PorterAfter 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
/ (skwɜːm) /
to move with a wriggling motion; writhe
to feel deep mental discomfort, guilt, embarrassment, etc
a squirming movement
Origin of squirm
1Derived forms of squirm
- squirmer, noun
- squirming, adjective
- squirmingly, adverb
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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