Wriggle

/ˈrɪɡəl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a movement or twisting motion, often in a sinuous manner.

The wriggle of the fish caught her attention as it tried to escape.

verb

to twist and turn one's body in a sinuous or spiral motion.

The worm began to wriggle on the ground after the rain.

to move with a snakelike motion; to twist and turn the body.

The child tried to wriggle free from her mother's grasp.

to evade or escape something by moving in a twisting or turning manner.

He managed to wriggle out of his responsibilities by claiming he was too busy.

Middle English wriglen, from Old English wrigglian.

wriggle out of something

To evade or escape from a responsibility or obligation.

wriggle with excitement

To move in an excited manner, often in a small or confined space.

squirm

To move sideways in a twisting motion.

wiggle

To move or cause to move up and down or from side to side.

curl

To form into a rounded or spiral shape.

To escape or avoid responsibility.

He always knows how to wriggle when he's in trouble.

To act in a sneaky or deceitful manner.

Don't try to wriggle out of this; just admit you messed up.