wriggle

Wriggle is a verb meaning to twist or turn with small, irregular movements, or to move in a sinuous, worm-like fashion. It can describe animals such as worms and snakes, as well as people who are confined or uncomfortable and attempt to free themselves. As a noun, wriggle denotes a single instance of such movement or the act of wriggling.

Etymology: The word appears in Middle English, with roots in Old English and related Germanic forms. Cognates include Dutch wriggelen and German wrigeln, reflecting a shared Germanic heritage. The exact origin is uncertain, but the sense of twisting motion is consistent across languages.

Usage and nuance: Wriggle often implies a flexible, twisting motion rather than a straight movement. It commonly describes creatures moving to escape, or people shifting within limited space. The phrase wriggle room indicates available maneuvering space or flexibility in a plan or agreement. The verb has close synonyms, such as wiggle and squirm, but wriggle emphasizes contorted, persistent motion.