fiddling 1 of 3

adjective

ˈfid-liŋ How to pronounce fiddling (audio)
Definition of fiddlingnext
as in minor
lacking importance you should delegate these fiddling matters to your staff so that you can focus on more important issues

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fiddling

2 of 3

noun

as in fidgeting

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Dissimilar Words

fiddling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of fiddle
1
as in twitching
to make jerky or restless movements the executive fiddled with a pen as she impatiently waited for the meeting to begin

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cheating
to rob by the use of trickery or threats conscienceless grifters who had spent their lives fiddling the naive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 fiddling
Noun
As the options for facial fiddling have become more accessible, the face is increasingly regarded as an image to be perfected. — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 15 Jan. 2026 For those deep in the Apple ecosystem who want headphones that just work without all the fiddling, the Beats Solo 4 make sense with a 25% discount. — PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
But none of these tracks really explore their ideas as much as just fiddling in place, with any initial energy fizzling out almost immediately. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 9 Mar. 2026 But in private, Arthur advises her to exercise a little more discretion in her, um, fiddling. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fiddling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fiddling
  1. minor
  2. fidgeting
  3. twitching
  4. cheating
  5. small
  6. writhing
  7. tossing
  8. squeezing
Adjective
  • Although the mattress developed some minor misshaping after a month of heavy use, Moon still thinks it’s packed with value.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Zachary Christian Cooper, 22, of Boyd was arrested by Department of Public Safety investigators Thursday morning at the Rhome Fire Department, on allegations of online solicitation of a minor and possessing child pornography.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of minor
Noun
  • Debra Kissen, clinical director of Light On Anxiety in Chicago, told Today that discreet fidgeting is more socially acceptable than clicking pens or spinning gadgets.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • It’s also designed to sit right at your natural waist, so no uncomfortable fidgeting here.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of fidgeting
Verb
  • This is not easy for Robin (Griffin), who, judging by his nervously twitching legs and tendency to info-dump on interlocutors, finds ordinary interactions very stressful.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Green said his symptoms began when his feet started twitching in his sleep.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of twitching
Verb
  • With all respect to West’s previous cheating-on-television canon, War might be his finest adulterous work.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Wood was vindicated three years later, when a league investigation revealed the Astros had been cheating in 2017, stealing signs from a television monitor next to the dugout and relaying them to batters by banging on trash cans.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheating
Adjective
  • Manfred says small-market success is rare, while the union argues the Rays-Brewers World Series matchup shows baseball can work without a cap.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Massachusetts ranks third for the annual cost of raising a small child but 18th over 18 years.
    — Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of small
Noun
  • Throughout the writhing and the screaming, Julia’s fortitude wears down a defiant Davina, whose history with Lovat feeds the moment.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of writhing
Verb
  • The video showed the employee tossing the cash onto the front counter before the suspect grabbed the money and stuffed it into his pocket.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Arrange in a single layer and roast, tossing occasionally, until tender and browned, 15–25 minutes.
    — Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of tossing
Verb
  • The remarks followed the release of strong quarterly results, with revenue and earnings beating analysts’ expectations despite a 6% downturn in revenue due to pressure squeezing all broadband purveyors.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Fuel expenses are squeezing daily household budgets and tightening cash flow toward the end of the month, with reports indicating a growing number of French employees are requesting payroll advances to manage month end expenses.
    — , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeezing

Browse Nearby Words

fiddle (with)
fiddling
fiddling (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Fiddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fiddling. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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