Squirm vs. Wiggle — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 14, 2024
Squirm generally conveys discomfort or struggle, implying an attempt to escape or adjust position; wiggle suggests more playful or gentle movement, often repetitive and small.
Difference Between Squirm and Wiggle
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Squirm is often used to describe movements that indicate discomfort or an effort to escape a restrictive situation, such as a tight space or an uncomfortable conversation. On the other hand, wiggle typically describes smaller, more rhythmic movements that might be voluntary or playful, like a child wiggling their toes.
When describing the movement of animals, squirm is usually associated with creatures like worms or insects trying to wriggle free when caught or held. Conversely, wiggle is often used to describe the motion of fish tails or puppies playfully moving their bodies.
In a social context, squirm can imply embarrassment or unease, as in someone squirming under intense scrutiny or awkward questions. Whereas, wiggle might be used more light-heartedly, such as someone wiggling to express excitement or to attract attention in a cute manner.
The physical expression involved in squirming can convey a stronger, more urgent need to adjust one's position, often driven by an external discomfort. Wiggle, however, usually implies a more contained and self-motivated movement, such as adjusting one's position on a chair.
The intensity and emotional context of squirming make it a less frequent and more situation-specific verb, while wiggle, being less intense, finds usage in more varied and everyday contexts, from describing the action of inanimate objects to playful human actions.
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Comparison Chart
Implication
Discomfort or struggle.
Playful or gentle movement.
Common Uses
Used to express trying to escape.
Describes repetitive, small movements.
Animal Behavior
Associated with worms or insects.
Commonly refers to fish or puppy movements.
Social Context
Implies embarrassment or unease.
Light-hearted, often joyful.
Intensity of Motion
Stronger and more urgent.
More contained and rhythmic.
Compare with Definitions
Squirm
To wriggle out of something.
The child squirmed out of her mother’s grasp.
Wiggle
Used to describe repetitive movements.
He wiggled the loose tooth with his tongue.
Squirm
Often used to describe awkward or painful situations.
She squirmed through the cramped meeting.
Wiggle
To move with quick, twisting motions.
The puppy wiggled its tail happily.
Squirm
To move in a twisting or contorted motion.
The captured snake squirmed in the bag.
Wiggle
To make small movements for adjustment.
She wiggled in her seat to get more comfortable.
Squirm
To twist the body about, or squirm in pain.
The patient squirmed uncomfortably on the examination table.
Wiggle
Often playful or innocuous.
The baby wiggled his toes in the air.
Squirm
To exhibit discomfort or embarrassment.
He began to squirm when asked about his previous job.
Wiggle
Common in describing animal behavior.
The fish wiggled through the water.
Squirm
Squirm is a 1976 American natural horror film written and directed by Jeff Lieberman, starring Don Scardino, Patricia Pearcy, R. A. Dow, Jean Sullivan, Peter MacLean, Fran Higgins and William Newman. The film takes place in the fictional town of Fly Creek, Georgia, which becomes infested with carnivorous worms after an electrical storm.
Wiggle
To move back and forth with quick irregular motions
The gelatin wiggled on the plate.
Squirm
Wriggle or twist the body from side to side, especially as a result of nervousness or discomfort
He looked uncomfortable and squirmed in his chair
Wiggle
To move or proceed with a twisting or turning motion; wriggle
Wiggled restlessly in her chair.
Wiggled through the crowd.
Squirm
A wriggling movement
The toddler gave a sudden squirm
Wiggle
To insinuate or extricate oneself by sly or subtle means
Wiggled out of a social engagement.
Squirm
To twist about in a wriggling, snakelike motion; writhe.
Wiggle
To cause to move back and forth with quick irregular motions
Wiggle a loose tooth.
Squirm
To feel or exhibit signs of humiliation or embarrassment.
Wiggle
To make (one's way, for example) by or as if by wiggling
The pitcher wiggled his way out of a jam.
Squirm
The act of squirming.
Wiggle
A wiggling movement or course.
Squirm
A squirming movement.
Wiggle
To move with irregular, back and forward or side to side motions; To shake or jiggle.
Her hips wiggle as she walks.
The jelly wiggles on the plate when you move it.
Squirm
To twist one's body with snakelike motions.
The prisoner managed to squirm out of the straitjacket.
Wiggle
(figurative) An alternating state or characteristic. en
Squirm
To twist in discomfort, especially from shame or embarrassment.
I recounted the embarrassing story in detail just to watch him squirm.
Wiggle
(in the plural) See wiggles.
Squirm
To evade a question, an interviewer etc. en
Wiggle
To move to and fro with a quick, jerking motion; to bend rapidly, or with a wavering motion, from side to side; to wag; to squirm; to wriggle; as, the dog wiggles his tail; the tadpole wiggles in the water.
Squirm
A twisting, snakelike movement of the body.
Wiggle
Act of wiggling; a wriggle.
Squirm
To twist about briskly with contortions like an eel or a worm; to wriggle; to writhe.
Wiggle
The act of wiggling
Squirm
The act of wiggling
Wiggle
Move to and fro;
Don't jiggle your finger while the nurse is putting on the bandage!
Squirm
To move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling);
The prisoner writhed in discomfort
The child tried to wriggle free from his aunt's embrace
Common Curiosities
Which animals typically wiggle?
Commonly, fish and puppies are said to wiggle, reflecting playful or gentle movements.
What does squirm mean?
Squirm refers to a twisting or contorted movement, often driven by discomfort or a need to escape.
What does wiggle mean?
Wiggle means to move with quick, small, often repetitive motions, usually light-hearted or playful.
Can squirm and wiggle be used interchangeably?
While both involve movement, squirm is usually more intense and associated with discomfort, unlike the more playful wiggle.
Is squirming always a sign of discomfort?
Yes, squirming generally indicates discomfort or an attempt to adjust or escape an uncomfortable situation.
How do children commonly use these movements?
Children might squirm when uncomfortable or restrained and wiggle when happy or playful.
What might cause someone to squirm in a social setting?
Situations involving embarrassment, awkwardness, or scrutiny can make someone squirm.
Which animals typically squirm?
Animals like worms and insects squirm, especially when trying to escape from being held.
How might an object wiggle?
With the vision problem, objects seem to jerk, or vibrate due to a misalignment of the eyes or systems possessing.
Is wiggling always playful?
Often it is, but wiggling can also simply signify small, adjusting movements without a playful context.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
