squirming

3 definitions • 3 examples

present participle of

to move from side to side in an awkward way, sometimes because of nervousness, embarrassment, or pain:

Nobody spoke for at least five minutes and Rachel squirmed in her chair with embarrassment.

The fish squirmed on the ground for a few moments and then lay still.

to feel nervous or embarrassed about something:

Sal would occasionally squirm at his parents' behaviour.