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squirmingly

squirmingly

7.4
In a way that shows discomfort or nervousness by moving restlessly
  • adverb
  • /ˈskwɜrmɪŋli/
translation icon : inquietamente
  • He sat squirmingly in his chair during the interview.

Examples

  • She answered the difficult question squirmingly, clearly uncomfortable with the topic.

  • The child looked squirmingly at the doctor, dreading the upcoming injection.

  • He waited squirmingly for his turn to speak, unable to sit still in his chair.

  • The child looked squirmingly at the dentist.

  • The child waited squirmingly in her chair as she anticipated the surprise.

  • He spoke squirmingly during the interview, clearly feeling anxious about his responses.

  • Unsure of the audience's reaction, she stood squirmingly at the podium, her hands fidgeting.

Synonyms

uncomfortably
vssquirmingly
26 3.4

In a way that makes a person feel uncomfortable or awkward

also includes nervous agitation and small movements rather than just physical pain
uneasily
vssquirmingly
19 4.2

In a worried or uncomfortable way

adds visible restless movement or bodily discomfort beyond mere worry
tensely
vssquirmingly
3 3.9

In a nervous, worried way that shows stress

is more about shifting or fidgeting movements than steady rigid strain
writhingly
vssquirmingly
9.3

In a way that twists or squirms because of pain

is less about twisting actions and more about showing nervous unease
restively
vssquirmingly
7.8

To make small nervous movements because you feel impatient and uneasy

is about discomfort or nervousness rather than impatience
twitchily
vssquirmingly
7.0

In a nervous way with small quick movements

shows discomfort or inner unease rather than quick jerky motion
jumpily
vssquirmingly
7.2

In a nervous, easily startled way with sudden jerks

expresses general discomfort or nervousness rather than sudden startle reactions
quaveringly
vssquirmingly
8.6

In a trembling voice because of fear or strong feeling

is more about bodily unease or fidgety movement than shaky trembling
squeamishly
vssquirmingly
6.9

Shows discomfort or disgust when seeing unpleasant things

is about bodily unease and nervous fidgeting rather than disgust response
flinchingly
vssquirmingly
7.8

In a nervous way that shows fear or hesitation

shows ongoing uneasy movement or wriggling sensations rather than a single recoil
flutteringly
vssquirmingly
6.8

With light quick shaking movements like a small bird flapping its wings

indicates heavier bodily unease and restless shifting rather than light motion

Antonyms

110 1.0

In a calm, steady way without showing anger or nervousness

How Restless

restlessly
7 3.7
squirmingly
7.4
uncomfortably
26 3.4
uneasily
19 4.2
calmly
110 1.0

Surface Forms

squirmingly positive

Morphology

squirmingly = squirming (transparent) = squirm + ing + ly

Adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'squirming' yields an adverb in a regular, clearly derivational way.

Etymology

The word squirmingly comes from the verb squirm, a word that feels like a worm twisting to get free and gives a clear picture of awkward, restless movement. With -ing and -ly it means 'in a way that shows discomfort or nervousness', so someone who shifts or wriggles is waiting or speaking squirmingly.