squib

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a short humorous or satiric writing or speech
b
: a short news item
especially : filler
2
a
: a small firecracker
b
: a broken firecracker in which the powder burns with a fizz
3
: a small electric or pyrotechnic device used to ignite a charge

squib

2 of 2

verb

squibbed; squibbing

intransitive verb

1
: to speak, write, or publish squibs
2
: to fire a squib

transitive verb

1
a
: to utter in an offhand manner
b
: to make squibs against : lampoon
2
: to shoot off : fire
3
: to kick (a football) on a kickoff so that it bounces along the ground

Examples of squib in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Despite the proclamations of victory hailing from progressives across religious lines, the explosive document was ultimately a squib — the kind of pyrotechnic device used by Hollywood to achieve a particular incendiary effect but that inflicts no real damage. Kayla Bartsch, National Review, 20 Dec. 2023 The squib assassinations may be fake, but the pain is very real. The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2023 In addition to Hussey’s run out of punt formation, the Rebels also recovered two squib kickoffs and got a 35-yard field goal from Watters Box for the game’s final points. Tim Gayle, al, 17 Nov. 2022 This political backdrop raises the possibility that his low-energy announcement speech may be a damp squib. The Editors, National Review, 15 Nov. 2022 After the kickoff return touchdown, Auburn opted to attempt squib kicks on kickoffs the rest of the night, ceding some field position in hopes of avoiding another big return. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 6 Nov. 2022 The Bulldogs avoided him on kick returns by squib kicking the football. Matt Goul, cleveland, 25 Sep. 2022 The Journal offered a two-paragraph squib buried deep in the paper. oregonlive, 27 Sep. 2022 It cannot be avoided, however, that after the giddy sugar rush of season one, season two was a bit of a damp squib overall. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 22 Sep. 2022
Verb
Then, with the infield in, quick Travis Jankowski squibbed a ball up the first base line for an inning-ending double play. Evan Grant, Dallas News, 31 Aug. 2023 Hannah Cady then squibbed one past Torrence to give Northwestern another runner in scoring position and Torrence then walked the bases loaded, triggering a conference at the circle. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 28 May 2023 Glendening laid out to squib the puck to neutral ice, then joined Raffl on the rush before finishing past Juuse Saros. Dallas News, 9 Feb. 2022 Having just scored to regain the lead, Clay-Chalkville tried to squib the ensuing kickoff. Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 3 Dec. 2021 Mason said the coaches asked Fuller to squib the kickoff because she was used to delivering low kicks on the soccer field. Joe Walljasper, Star Tribune, 28 Nov. 2020 But Purdue was assessed a personal foul after squibbing the ensuing kickoff to midfield, and runs of 21 and 14 yards by Sargent gave the Hawkeyes the cushion. San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2019 Sure enough, Gregorius squibbed an infield single in his first at-bat before lifting his homer into the second deck in right field. baltimoresun.com, 6 Oct. 2019 The Lions were concerned about the dangerous return man, so after the Lions took a 14-7 lead on their second possession, kicker Matt Prater squibbed the kickoff — hard. Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, 28 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squib.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of squib was circa 1525

Dictionary Entries Near squib

Cite this Entry

“Squib.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squib. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

squib

noun
ˈskwib
: a short humorous or witty writing or speech

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