squirm

[ skwurm ]

/ skwɜrm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR squirm ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

Origin of squirm

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

SYNONYMS FOR squirm

1 turn, twist.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR squirm ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formssquirm·er, nounsquirm·ing·ly, adverbun·squirm·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for squirming

Netanyahu, despite all his squirming, is no longer the boss.
How Bibi Stopped Being King|J. J. Goldberg|March 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A brief struggle ensues as several officers attempt to subdue a squirming Grant, his hands behind his back.
‘Fruitvale Station,’ Sundance’s Hottest Film, Comes to Theaters|Marlow Stern|January 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In December, he was compelled to sign onto the Ryan budget plan after months of squirming to avoid it.
Romney: Too Weak?|David Frum|July 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And to kill them, well, forget the slaughter house—just pop a bag of squirming crickets in the freezer.
Forget the Starbucks Backlash—We Should Be Eating More Bugs|Daniel Stone|April 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST

That left Mitt in the spotlight, squirming about his tax returns.
Daily Beast Contributors Weigh In on NBC Republican Debate in Tampa||January 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Well, Grue went under, still clutching the squirming, flapping bird; and he stayed under.
Police!!!|Robert W. Chambers
He was more than satisfied at the astonishment of the northerners when there emerged, not fledglings, but squirming lizards.
Strange Stories of the Great River|Abbie Johnston Grosvenor
She fought to escape the clutch, kicking, squirming—trying to bite the hand.
The Trail Horde|Charles Alden Seltzer
For a moment or two the line was broken by the warriors hurrying out to do battle with the squirming intruder.
The Dawn of Reason|James Weir
Even while the frenzied yelling of the squirming Busch was subsiding into a frothy gurgle he went to the door and listened.
The Day of Wrath|Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for squirming

squirm

/ (skwɜːm) /

verb (intr)

to move with a wriggling motion; writhe

to feel deep mental discomfort, guilt, embarrassment, etc

noun

a squirming movement

Derived Formssquirmer, 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

Word Origin and History for squirming

squirm

1690s, originally referring to eels, of unknown origin; sometimes associated with worm or swarm, but perhaps rather imitative. Related: Squirmed; squirming.

squirm

verb (used without object)

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of squirm

Examples from the Web for squirming

British Dictionary definitions for squirming

squirm

verb (intr)

noun

Word Origin for squirm

Word Origin and History for squirming

squirm