fidgety

adjective

ˈfi-jə-tē How to pronounce fidgety (audio)
Definition of fidgetynext
as in twitchy
making jerky or restless movements I get too fidgety to sit after a few minutes in a waiting room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of fidgety Many young children will be fidgety sitting at a desk for a long period of time, so this can help. — ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 25 July 2024 The lyrics were sly and funny but could also detour, like a fidgety schoolkid sitting by the window, into daydreams. — James Poniewozik, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2023 Charles stands as the bridge to generations and generations of inevitability — all the way down to 9-year-old Prince George, the someday-king with a tousle of blond hair and fidgety energy. — Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2022 Our planet is a shifting mass of molten rock that continually migrates beneath the crust; even the deep mantle and its overlying upper mantle are fidgety, causing earthquakes. — Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 16 Aug. 2022 See All Example Sentences for fidgety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fidgety
  1. twitchy
  2. squirmy
  3. wiggly
  4. worried
  5. upset
  6. nervous
  7. anxious
  8. antsy
Adjective
  • Most of the time, Mark just flails, complains, and pouts like a giant baby, and Affleck’s twitchy, rapid-fire delivery can’t give the character any life or depth.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This Hansen feels like a twitchy, touchy embodiment of true-crime ambition.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of twitchy
Adjective
  • Another personal fear Chase infused into the script was his dislike of dentists, which leads to several squirmy big-screen moments.
    — William Earl, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The screwworm is actually a parasitic fly named for its larvae, which look like squirmy worms.
    — Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026
Definition of squirmy
Adjective
  • Black Hills South Dakota Most Midwesterners have to commit at least a week of vacation time to reaching and exploring western South Dakota’s squiggly, wiggly, scenic-drive paradise.
    — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Other vipers are known to flick their tails, especially baby vipers with bright green or neon yellow tail tips that might appear like a wiggly worm to unsuspecting frogs.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of wiggly
Adjective
  • Not that the type of people staying here are worried about getting anywhere; this is the private car and driver, door-to-door service type of clientele.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But instead of celebrating that success, Andi is worried she’ll be seen as an opportunist rather than a legitimate co-author.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Oglala Lakota runner Billy Mills was the first non-European to win Olympic gold in the 10-kilometer run with his upset, Olympic-record race at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • After a strong performance in an upset win over Buffalo in Week 4, Maye and the Patriots are back on track.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of upset
Adjective
  • Everyone was in a good mood, if a little nervous about what was going to be discussed.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Alberto Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban national with lawful permanent residence in the United States, was also acting nervous, the agent said.
    — David Goodhue October 6, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • An adorable pup in Louisiana was anxious to swim into rising Gulf of Mexico waters, doing a stationary doggie paddle while being carried through a flood during Hurricane Isaias.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Down at Advanced Base Camp on the Tibetan side, the anxious Indian team could see two headlamps light up their descent high on the mountain.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • However, if Winston misfires his way into, say, a two-game losing streak, the coach could get antsy and try to discover in McCarthy what his brother, Jim, found at Michigan.
    — Doug Haller, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Groups of friends are still singing the words to their favorite Soulja Boy songs and parents are strapping their antsy toddlers into strollers.
    — Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of antsy

Browse Nearby Words

fidgets
fidgety
fie
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fidgety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fidgety. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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