WRIGGLE Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

wriggle

verb

ˈri-gəl

Definition of wriggle

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

as in to crawl

to move slowly with the body close to the ground a worm slowly wriggled across the sidewalk

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to worm

to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way within a month of his arrival, this social upstart had wriggled himself into the family's good graces

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 wriggle Countless individual tread blocks, divided by wide grooves, wriggled around instead of digging in. — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 In possession, Sadiki is a balanced ball-carrier who can wriggle past challenges and play quick passes to keep possession ticking. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 June 2026 For his part, Sherman, a long-time champion of wriggling remedies, cheered the clearance as a step forward for MDT generally. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026 The technology was largely depicted as a portal to the future, a tonic for the ailing Los Angeles production sector, and a way to finally wriggle free from the bonds of antiquated studio protocols. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for wriggle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wriggle

Verb

With the contact patch sliding and squirming, the brakes had less to work with—and the car took just enough extra distance to end in an impact.

— Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Unless your companion could use a hand or is traveling with young kids (in the latter case, if this person also happens to be your spouse or partner, really not cool to leave them with the stroller, diaper bag, squirming kids).

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Definition of squirm

Verb

So, while the Dodgers crawled out of the hole with a season-high 17 hits, the steep cost heightens the pressure on the rest of the rotation the rest of the series.

— Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
The Germans were crawling as far as the street, dashing across the asphalt, then leaping into the second trench.

— Vasily Grossman, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Definition of crawl

Verb

Heath hoped that the agent could worm his way even deeper into Red44.

— Keith O’Brien, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
The flea larvae, which look like tiny maggots, worm their way into the carpet or mattress, feeding on the flea dirt that their parents left behind, says Benson.

— Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 28 May 2026

Definition of worm

Verb

There is something cultish about that idea — the player who tends not to start but has the knack to appear later on with antennae twitching, ready to seize the day and alter the course of a match.

— Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Leon Stetson was allegedly twitching, so officers moved him away from Carrie Stetson and started to render medical aid.

— Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026

Definition of twitch

Verb

Leaders should identify where bottlenecks crept back in, restore psychological safety around small failures, and rebuild the feedback loops that make frequent, low-risk deployment feel sustainable.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Asked Monday what the best part about being back has been so far, a big smile crept across Watkins’ face.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of creep

Verb

Koorimannil managed to sneak out a screenshot from his computer that AP and security nonprofit C4ADS used to identify the key to his productivity — a software platform called Kongtian Intelligent Customer Acquisition, or KT for short.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
In just its fourth World Cup appearance, Norway has the chance to sneak into the Round of 16 for the third time.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026

Definition of sneak

Verb

Contreras was tossed immediately, while Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton, interim manager Chad Tracy and Washington pitcher Miles Mikolas were all sent to the showers early.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Guardians rookie Cooper Ingle made a routine catch last night and tossed the ball into the stands.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of toss

Browse Nearby Words

wretches

wriggle

wriggled

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“Wriggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wriggle. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of wriggle

verb

Example Sentences

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