squirm

Meanings

• verb

  to move uneasily or in a state of nervous discomfort, especially when under pressure or in an embarrassing situation

  - "He squirmed under the intense questioning from the interviewer."
  - "The children squirmed in their seats during the long sermon."
  - "She squirmed at the thought of eating seafood."

• verb

  to cause (someone) to move uneasily or in a state of nervous discomfort

  - "The tight shoes squirmed my feet."
  - "The loud noise squirmed the baby."
  - "The thought of failure squirmed her."

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Pronunciation

1. 
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75858364"
2. /skwɝm/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=424816"

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Synonyms

fidget , wriggle , writhe

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with squirm
firm , term , worm

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Variants

List of all variants of squirm that leads to same result
squirm , squirmed , squirmier , squirmiest , squirming , squirms , squirmy

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meant 'to wriggle like a worm'. The word comes from Old English scrimian, scrimian, and from Proto-Germanic skreuma-, skreum-, meaning 'to creep, crawl, or wriggle'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'squirm' has been used in various fields, including psychology and medicine. In psychology, it is used to describe a defensive response to anxiety or fear. In medicine, it is used to describe the involuntary movements of the body, such as those seen in Parkinson's disease.

2. The term 'squirm' is also used in the context of fishing. A 'squirm' is a small, worm-like bait used to catch fish.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. anxiety: Squirm is related to feelings of anxiety and nervousness. It can be used to describe the physical and emotional responses to stressful situations.

2. discomfort: Squirm is also related to feelings of discomfort, which can be caused by various factors such as heat, cold, or physical pain.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Squirm has been used in literature to describe characters' reactions to uncomfortable situations. For instance, in Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov squirms with guilt after committing a murder. In music, the term 'squirm' is used metaphorically to describe complex, dissonant chords or melodies that create a sense of unease or tension.

How to Memorize "squirm"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a person or animal wriggling or squirming in response to an uncomfortable situation.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'squirm' with feelings of unease, nervousness, or discomfort.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic by remembering the word's origin: 'Squirm' comes from 'to wriggle like a worm'.

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