What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wriggled
Example
The child wriggled in his seat, trying to get comfortable. [wriggled: verb]
Example
The snake wriggled through the grass, searching for prey. [wriggled: past tense]
squirmed
Example
The toddler squirmed in her mother's arms, wanting to be put down. [squirmed: verb]
Example
I squirmed in my seat as the speaker told an embarrassing story. [squirmed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Squirm is more commonly used than wriggle in everyday language, especially in contexts related to discomfort or embarrassment. Wriggle is less common but can be used in various contexts, such as describing the movement of animals or adjusting one's position in a chair.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wriggled and squirmed?
Both wriggle and squirm are informal words and are not typically used in formal writing or speech.
