fiddle 1 of 2

verb

Definition of fiddlenext
1
as in to fidget
to make jerky or restless movements the executive fiddled with a pen as she impatiently waited for the meeting to begin

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats conscienceless grifters who had spent their lives fiddling the naive

Synonyms & Similar Words

fiddle

2 of 2

noun

ˈfi-dᵊl How to pronounce fiddle (audio)
1
as in nuts
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense oh, fiddle! I've heard that excuse a thousand times before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scam
chiefly British an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value the e-mail was another one of those fiddles from some supposed millionaire seeking to transfer funds out of his country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 fiddle
Verb
Four top bluegrass bands will perform, and there will be fiddling demonstrations. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2026 These are sophisticated push-button machines designed to take the faff and fiddle out of making good coffee at home—anything for an easy life. — Chris Haslam, Wired News, 8 May 2026
Noun
Brotherton added depth to Keen’s live show, which had previously been a four-piece, with Keen playing acoustic guitar along with a fiddle, bassist, and drummer. — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026 According to Hancock, rubber trees are more forgiving of low light than fiddle leaf figs, and their thick, substantial leaves don’t drop as easily when the plant is stressed. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fiddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fiddle
  1. fidget
  2. cheat
  3. nuts
  4. scam
  5. toss
  6. squeeze
  7. nonsense
  8. twitch
Verb
  • Following this concern, 55% of parents said their top concern was their child’s ability to complete multistep tasks such as homework while 45% of parents cited fidgeting.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The current boom is driven by Gen Z’s openness about mental health, social-commerce virality on TikTok and Etsy, and a broader nervous-system regulation movement that treats fidgeting as a legitimate coping tool rather than a bad habit.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of fidget
Verb
  • For example, if a model figures out a way to cheat to win a game, but the human running the training doesn’t spot the cheating, then the model will learn to cheat.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The move, orchestrated by Everett to satisfy the demands of the company’s top-dollar backers, cheats Michael out of his stock options and equity in the company.
    — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • Tucker recommends foods like extra virgin olive oil, fatty fish like salmon, nuts and seeds — all staples of both diets, which also encourage eating whole grains, chicken, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
  • If your kidneys are healthy, eating magnesium-rich foods like nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, and leafy vegetables is unlikely to cause toxicity.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuts
Noun
  • Authorities also obtained assistance from multiple banks and reviewed security camera footage, financial records and body camera footage from previous investigations involving similar scams.
    — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Location information can also make a scam call more convincing.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of scam
Verb
  • That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
  • After a promising start to the potential game-tying drive in the extra frame, Tagovailoa would toss an interception to Baltimore All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton to seal Atlanta's fate.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of toss
Verb
  • But in recent years, the shows have become money losers and the network TV business — faced with a decline in viewers that is squeezing profits — are cutting them loose.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • However, rising costs for housing, food, fuel and insurance coupled with cooling employment rends and the lowest consumer sentiment in a decade is squeezing discretionary spending.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • In the eyes of the conferences, and CFP committee, the allure of a postseason bid is the carrot that would dangle in front of them so that fans would look the other way at the nonsense this creates for the football played in September or October.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • My fellow relishers of Trowbridge nonsense, today is our day of jubilee.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of nonsense
Verb
  • Just then, Chee Meng’s fishing rod twitched, and the line began to run out.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • During the test, Linton jerked and twitched in what prosecutors described as an attempt to fake a seizure.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of twitch

Phrases Containing fiddle

Browse Nearby Words

fictive
fiddle
fiddle (around)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fiddle. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fiddle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fiddle

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