wriggled

past tense of wriggle
1
2
as in crawled
to move slowly with the body close to the ground a worm slowly wriggled across the sidewalk

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in snuck
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way within a month of his arrival, this social upstart had wriggled himself into the family's good graces

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wriggled
Verb
  • Monday’s win was perhaps a start to the Wild playing more like themselves, but Gustavsson did feel some recent bad habits crept into their game.
    Michael Russo, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Those words came from a question asking Campbell what his message to the team was, amid a week when doubt crept in.
    Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The research team used test tube experiments and found that oxalic acid caused tiny amount of gadolinium to precipitate from the contrast agent and form nanoparticles, which infiltrated cells of different organs.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Over the last few weeks, LeBron James‘ cultural influence reached another sphere outside of sports when his name and likeness infiltrated the music world.
    Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sevilla snuck in between Tchouameni and Asencio, with eventual scorer Dodi Lukebakio taking advantage of a mistake from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who doesn’t usually make them.
    Mario Cortegana, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Tears of joy flowed when a daughter snuck home early for Christmas to surprise her mom after two years of traveling.
    Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Steam's recommendation algorithm noticed, and tossed 2021's Fights in Tight Spaces at me.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Grab a cozy velvet throw with a reversible fleece side that will look great tossed over your couch and keep you warm during chilly winter nights.
    Shea Simmons, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The movie slipped to fifth, third, and sixth ranks in the following weeks.
    Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The city slipped into a recession, and things got harder.
    Dodai Stewart, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, until the cake springs back slightly when gently tapped in the center or a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Bake, uncovered, until dark golden brown and a thermometer inserted near center registers 190°F, 10 to 15 minutes.
    Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Wriggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wriggled. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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