squirm

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'squirm' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a verb to describe an action of wriggling or twisting the body in an uncomfortable or awkward way. Example sentence: The young boy squirmed in his seat as he was forced to apologize for his mistake.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(When non-disabled actors play disabled people, they love to squirm, startle and speak as if they were drunk).

The Guardian - Opinion

"Can you imagine the pain you'll feel when it cuts?" He describes in horrific detail each stage of the beheading; "I've seen it before, you all squirm like animals, like pigs.

The Guardian

Babies and toddlers, as anyone who has lived in close proximity to one will know, are not always terribly good at articulating what they feel, but they are very good at acting out their emotions: they bite, they scream, they lie on the floor and beat their fists and generally try to squirm out of situations that don't appeal to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

When non-disabled actors play disabled people, they love to squirm, startle and speak as if they were drunk In Fraser's fantasy disabled family, we eat alone as we have no friends.

The Guardian - Opinion

The 30-year-old Australian made 49 appearances in all competitions for Reading last season but it was his error in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal, when he let an Alexis Sánchez shot squirm under his body, that sealed the Premier League side's progress to Saturday's final.

The Guardian - Sport

Contact with the natives seems mainly with the kind who, for a fee, squirm up and down on your lap.

The Economist

Thus alerted, the politicians squirm this way and that, proposing different schemes to cut Medicare spending to balance the federal budget.

The Economist

They have mustered support using microblogging tools such as Sina Weibo, a hugely popular Twitter-like service.In this section Vote as I say Exogenous zones My ally, my enemy Black holes Plastic unfantastic Creaming along Nothing new under heaven ReprintsEven a hint of spontaneity in legislative elections can make the party squirm.

The Economist

IT WAS a scene that must have made China's leaders squirm with uncomfortable memories.

The Economist

For these and other reasons, the little-told back-story of King Bhumibol is vital to understanding the predicament of this country of 64m people.Many Thais will squirm at what follows, and will prefer the fairy-tale version of the king's story.

The Economist

Such spectacles may make Mr Emanuel squirm, but viewers know it's all a joke.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "squirm" to vividly describe physical restlessness caused by discomfort, embarrassment, or constraint.

Common error

Avoid using "squirm" when the movement is due to excitement or joy; it implies discomfort or unease.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "squirm" is as an intransitive verb, describing a physical action. Ludwig examples show how it is used to depict physical discomfort or avoidance tactics. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "squirm" is a versatile verb that describes twisting or wriggling movements, often associated with discomfort or evasion. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently found in contexts like News & Media. The examples from Ludwig reveal its use in diverse scenarios, from physical discomfort to avoiding difficult questions. When writing, use "squirm" to add vividness to descriptions of unease or evasiveness, but be mindful of the potential for informality in very formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wriggle

This alternative emphasizes a twisting, snake-like motion, similar to one aspect of "squirm".

writhe

This term suggests a more intense twisting and turning, often associated with pain or struggle.

fidget

This alternative indicates restless movements, often due to nervousness or impatience.

shift uncomfortably

This phrase focuses on the unease or discomfort prompting the movement, rather than the movement itself.

shuffle around

This describes a less pronounced movement, typically involving the feet or lower body.

twitch

This highlights involuntary, rapid muscle contractions, often due to nervousness or a medical condition.

recoil

This describes a sudden, involuntary movement backward in response to something unpleasant or frightening.

cringe

This emphasizes a physical reaction expressing embarrassment or disgust.

flinch

This refers to a sudden, sharp movement as a response to a painful or dangerous event.

be evasive

This describes avoiding a direct response, particularly to a difficult question or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "squirm" in a sentence?

You can use "squirm" to describe someone twisting their body due to discomfort, like: "The child began to "squirm" in the dentist's chair" or to describe someone trying to avoid a question, like: "The politician tried to "squirm" out of answering the difficult question".

What does it mean when someone is squirming?

When someone is "squirming", it typically means they are moving restlessly or twisting their body due to discomfort, embarrassment, or nervousness. It can also suggest they are trying to avoid something.

What are some synonyms for "squirm"?

Some synonyms for "squirm" include "wriggle", "writhe", "fidget", and "twist". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to say someone is "squirming" in a formal setting?

While "squirm" isn't inherently inappropriate, its informality might make it unsuitable for extremely formal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "shift uncomfortably" depending on the situation.