Wriggle vs. Squirm. Any difference?
The worm wriggled and squirmed as it hit the hot soup.

Why did the author use both synonyms in this sentence or there's a slight difference in the meaning? Why don't we put up to 10 synonyms in every sentence to make our speech even more confusing..

Question

Wriggle vs. Squirm. Any difference?
The worm wriggled and squirmed as it hit the hot soup.

Why did the author use both synonyms in this sentence or there's a slight difference in the meaning? Why don't we put up to 10 synonyms in every sentence to make our speech even more confusing..

Answer

They are synonymous but squirm has a slightly stronger sense of struggling in an unpleasant or uncomfortable situation.

From a native speaker's perspective, we would not find the use of synonyms confusing but rather feel that they paint a more expressive picture.

Answer

A thing can 'wriggle' to move around, usually to try to escape, and sometimes it can be used to express joy. One usually only 'squirms' in discomfort, shame, or pain.

We would not use 10 synonyms because the story needs to flow, to have action.