squib
1 of 2noun
ˈskwib 
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 2verb
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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Ravi Mayuram, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2022 But as a celebration of the return of cinema, Berlin 2022 was a bit of a damp squib. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2022 Bloody squib packs have not been put to such magnificent use in some time, part of an overall aesthetic of merciless, fabulous violence in keeping with the ’70s revisionist vibe cultivated here. Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2021 The last part, the squib, doesn’t require a live gun. Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2021 Michigan then tried a squib kickoff, giving UW the ball at its 37 with just 22 seconds left in the half. Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2021 Godwin Igwebuike handled kick returns in the opener for the Lions, but muffed the first kickoff of the game and had another squib through his legs late in the first half. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 17 Sep. 2021 In an era crying out for radical thinking, Packer offers the damp squib of incrementalism. Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2021 The bipartisan infrastructure package working its way through congress is, at best, a damp squib from a climate standpoint. Michael E. Mann, Time, 9 Aug. 2021 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 Keystone rallied with a short TD run by Shackelford in the final minute, but its onside kick attempt squibbed down to Clyde running back Gunner Golden — who had his hands on the football much of the night — at the 35-yard line to seal the outcome. Matt Goul, cleveland, 10 Nov. 2019 The Irish didn’t attempt an onside kick as the Bulldogs were expecting, but squibbed a kick instead and dropped D’Andre Swift inside the 25. Tim Brown, oregonlive, 21 Sep. 2019 See More
Noun
People have always made overblown promises for AI, which have inevitably ended in a damp squib. Ravi Mayuram, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2022 But as a celebration of the return of cinema, Berlin 2022 was a bit of a damp squib. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2022 Bloody squib packs have not been put to such magnificent use in some time, part of an overall aesthetic of merciless, fabulous violence in keeping with the ’70s revisionist vibe cultivated here. Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2021 The last part, the squib, doesn’t require a live gun. Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2021 Michigan then tried a squib kickoff, giving UW the ball at its 37 with just 22 seconds left in the half. Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2021 Godwin Igwebuike handled kick returns in the opener for the Lions, but muffed the first kickoff of the game and had another squib through his legs late in the first half. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 17 Sep. 2021 In an era crying out for radical thinking, Packer offers the damp squib of incrementalism. Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2021 The bipartisan infrastructure package working its way through congress is, at best, a damp squib from a climate standpoint. Michael E. Mann, Time, 9 Aug. 2021 Verb
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 Keystone rallied with a short TD run by Shackelford in the final minute, but its onside kick attempt squibbed down to Clyde running back Gunner Golden — who had his hands on the football much of the night — at the 35-yard line to seal the outcome. Matt Goul, cleveland, 10 Nov. 2019 The Irish didn’t attempt an onside kick as the Bulldogs were expecting, but squibbed a kick instead and dropped D’Andre Swift inside the 25. Tim Brown, oregonlive, 21 Sep. 2019 See More 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
Phrases Containing squib
squib
noun
as in farce
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- farce
- satire
- comedy
- slapstick
- skit
- spoof
- pasquinade
- ridicule
- sketch
- parody
- burlesque
- derision
- caricature
- lampoon
- takeoff
- cartoon
- performance
- mockery
- production
- travesty
- play