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Glite Dictionary
🐛 Wiggly or restless 😬 Awkward or uneasy
squirmy

squirmy

1 4.5
Causing people to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable and want to move
  • adjective
  • /ˈskwɜrmi/
translation icon : inquieto
  • He got a squirmy feeling when he realized everyone was staring at him.
  • feel squirmy

Examples

  • It must be great because he was enjoying reading it even in an auditorium filled with squirmy, sweaty, giggling, cheering, and sometimes farting children.

    Blog text (22)

  • She found the topic of conversation a bit squirmy, wishing to change it quickly.

  • She felt hot and squirmy inside.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Don't be so squirmy, Howard.

    The Aviator (2004)

  • Sitting in on another ensemble's rehearsal is fascinating, but it also makes me feel squirmy.

    Blog text (5)

  • They're just kidding around, Lou told himself, but he suddenly felt hot and squirmy inside.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Counseling and psychotherapy involve a collaboration between therapist and client; no practitioner will be able to 'fix' you, and the road ahead may be bumpy, long, and full of squirmy moments.

    Blog text (29)

  • I admit I have some squirmy reactions to Vince Carter, especially when he goes into "tunnel vision" mode on drives, or fires 35-footers early in the shot clock, but Dallas kind of needs him, and kind of desperately.

    Blog text (31)

  • The awkward silence made her feel squirmy as she searched for something to say.

Synonyms

jumpy
vssquirmy
  • Informal
54 4.3

Feeling nervous and easily startled by sudden sounds

causes awkward discomfort making one shift uneasily rather than startle from noise
twitchy
vssquirmy
  • Informal
9 4.6

Feeling nervous and unable to stay still

causes uneasy movement linked to embarrassment rather than sudden startle reactions
fidgety
vssquirmy
8 4.8

Unable to stay still because you feel nervous

causes movement from awkward embarrassment rather than general restlessness
queasy
vssquirmy
7 4.8

Feeling worried and nervous about a situation

causes awkward embarrassment and restless movement rather than mild unease or nausea
squirrely
vssquirmy
  • Informal
3 8.4

Acting nervous and strange in a way you cannot predict

causes awkward embarrassment and uncomfortable shifting rather than odd unpredictable behavior
fluttery
vssquirmy
2 4.9

Feeling nervous and excited with a quick, shaky feeling in the body

causes awkward discomfort that makes one move uneasily rather than excited shaking
nervy
vssquirmy
1 6.5

Feeling worried and tense before a difficult event

causes awkward embarrassment and outward shifting rather than only inner tension
skittery
vssquirmy
1 8.7

Moving quickly and lightly because it is nervous or easily startled

causes uneasy shifting from awkwardness rather than quick frightened motion
skitty
vssquirmy
  • UK
9.5

Nervous and easily frightened, likely to jump at sudden sounds

makes people want to move uneasily because of awkward embarrassment rather than fear

Antonyms

comfortable
494 1.0

Not feeling pain or physical discomfort

How Uncomfortable

disturbing
304 4.2
cringeworthy
  • Informal
1 6.3
uncomfortable
713 1.7
squirmy
1 4.5
awkward
311 2.7

Surface Forms

squirmy positive
squirmier comparative
squirmiest superlative

Morphology

squirmy = squirm (transparent) = squirm + y

Formed regularly from the verb 'squirm' with the productive adjectival suffix '-y', so the meaning is predictable.

Etymology

Squirmy A helpful way to remember squirmy is to think of the verb squirm, which makes you picture a 'worm' twisting because it feels uncomfortable. So when something makes you feel awkward or embarrassed, you feel squirmy and want to move away or hide.