1
as in to squirm
to make jerky or restless movements
a toddler wriggling in his seat all throughout the church service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wriggle
For the first time in who knows how long, Kanye West is actually trying to wriggle his way out of an explosive, contentious situation.
—
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2025
It was once believed the Worm Moon's name was derived from earthworms wriggling through March's warming soil, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, which heralded the first signs of spring as birds returned to feast on them.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Oct. 2024
So, Charlie got a ladder, wriggled through a transom, and got his collection, stored in two crates which had previously contained oranges.
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
At the Columbus Zoo, revenge is a dish best served wriggling.
—Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wriggle
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2025
It was once believed the Worm Moon's name was derived from earthworms wriggling through March's warming soil, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, which heralded the first signs of spring as birds returned to feast on them.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Oct. 2024
So, Charlie got a ladder, wriggled through a transom, and got his collection, stored in two crates which had previously contained oranges.
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
At the Columbus Zoo, revenge is a dish best served wriggling.
—Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wriggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wriggle
Verb
-
Joseph Quinn, the terrific British actor from A Quiet Place: Day One and Gladiator 2 (and our next Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four: First Steps), spends the bulk of this picture squirming in torment, emitting ear-splitting noises from deep within the pits of hell.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The sixth episode of The White Lotus Season 3 has critics stunned—and in some cases, squirming—after a grim hour that pushed creator Mike White's pitch-black satire to new depths.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Senators from both sides of the aisle are reigniting efforts to crawl back technology companies’ legal immunities with hopes bipartisan support in Congress could push the bill across the finish line this session and gain the backing of President Trump.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
All the while, Xavier skulks along the margins of the play, worming his way closer to the actress by insinuating himself into the production.—
Joumana Khatib,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
-
At the same time, Waltz tried to flip the script and blame Goldberg -- suggesting the editor could have somehow wormed his way in to the group chat.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Kirk says that when a cat experiences changes in air pressure, which can also happen while riding in a car, their ears may move or twitch in response.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
That ratio is naturally reversed here, though the director drops in a few snippets of the actual team near the beginning and the end, including a grainy, chilling shot of the real Lemons twitching near the ocean floor.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
This creeping groundcover thrives in dappled shade and is a good choice for the front of a perennial border or growing between trees and shrubs in a woodland garden.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Beyond that, temperatures will creep above normal into the weekend and early next week.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But a better travel pillow does all that and sneaks an extra day’s worth of clothing onto the plane without catching a gate agent’s attention.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Apr. 2025
-
How did Passover and Easter sneak up on us so fast?—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Nathan tossed the black backpack into a trash can, Seraphine said.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2025
-
The footage, captured at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, allegedly showed Ventura walking toward a bank of elevators as Combs chased after her, then grabbing her by the neck and tossing her to the floor before turning to violently kick her and grab her purse and suitcase.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Developed over two years, the Serpenti Aeterna watch snaking around the wrist features a clasp closure mechanism and signature hexagonal scales etched in the inner contour.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2025
-
At the antiques shop, overflowing with bronze sculptures and ornate lamps, a train snakes through to dispense tea.—
Rachel Sherman,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wriggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wriggle. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share