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
Relevance
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
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
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Recent Examples of fiddle
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
As Rossini stowed her purse in a tiny back office, a manager named Katie Atlas was onboarding a new employee, a young woman who fiddled nervously with her necklace.
—Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
The film's soundtrack carries on that way throughout, showing the boundless energy of hardscrabble, down-to-their-last-dime people via fifes, fiddles, and harps.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fiddle
Verb
But in private, Arthur advises her to exercise a little more discretion in her, um, fiddling.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
As Rossini stowed her purse in a tiny back office, a manager named Katie Atlas was onboarding a new employee, a young woman who fiddled nervously with her necklace.
—Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Like many ficus plants, fiddle leaf figs do not like change.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
The film's soundtrack carries on that way throughout, showing the boundless energy of hardscrabble, down-to-their-last-dime people via fifes, fiddles, and harps.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fiddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fiddle
Verb
-
Between each dance was an excruciating silence during which network-TV producers monitored and reset their equipment while the men fidgeted onstage like excitable children.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Saturday’s game is also being advertised an autism awareness night, offering earplugs, fidget toys and a sensory break area for fans who plan to attend.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Indigenous people have been cheated through laws such as are operated in Nigeria today.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Paul frequently accuses Mortenson of cheating and lying, which he’s openly admitted to — after he gets caught.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Greek yogurt or a handful of nuts can help keep levels stable.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Macadamia trees aren’t dangerous themselves, but the nuts are toxic.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The issue seems to be on the rise in March, as officials have issued warnings about the scams in Indiana, Maryland, and Michigan.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Hana and some friends turn to crime (credit card scams) and the pressure on them keeps mounting.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt over and toss to coat.—
Hana Asbrink,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
So had Florida not decided to tweak its offense to emphasize paint touches, dwindling the bricks its guards had regularly tossed through the first two disastrous months, this could have been a historic season.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The three of us squeezed into our bedroom closet and huddled over my phone.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Oil prices would continue to soar, while fertilizer, generic drugs, helium and other products dependent on the strait would grow scarce, squeezing the American economy and world economy alike.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If he ever gets stressed or frustrated in dealing with all this nonsense, that footage is never shown.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 2026
-
This is not on DeRosa, but that is nonsense.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The vocals twitch as a backflipping commotion takes over the streets.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
20 Mar. 2026
-
As the drugs started flowing, King began breathing heavily, his body twitching.—
DAVID FISCHER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fiddle. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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