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squib

[skwib] / skwɪb /










Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Polling expert John Curtice told the BBC that Farage had been hoping for a "very substantial political circus" but may end up with a "relatively damp squib" if no one challenges him properly.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

But the much-anticipated showdown between two Heisman-candidate quarterbacks and national championship-quality teams had been a damp squib over the first two quarters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2025

Kicking under the new format feels more like “shanking” a kickoff than doing a squib kick, as Dicker put it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2024

Plaid Cymru previously called the report a "damp squib".

From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2024

When the old man, helped by Bilbo and some dwarves, had finished unloading, Bilbo gave a few pennies away; but not a single squib or cracker was forthcoming, to the disappointment of the onlookers.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

So after some damp squibs in recent years, are we set for an unusually exciting end to the campaign at the bottom of the table?

From BBC ● Feb. 7, 2026

Watching “The Challenge” contenders pretend to dramatically expire for the cameras when ink squibs explode on their chests dilutes the tragedy in that.

From Salon ● Dec. 8, 2023

More the whiff of damp squibs than cordite.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 1, 2020

However, digging today into The Seattle Times’ online archive, I find that social squibs often help reveal the story of a vintage edifice.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 5, 2019

But there was also a generous distribution of squibs, crackers, backarappers, sparklers, torches, dwarf-candles, elf-fountains, goblin-barkers and thunder-claps.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Harvey jammed Bryson Stott, who squibbed a grounder to the left side.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 14, 2022

Upton grounded into a fielder’s choice for the second out, and Pujols, the slow-footed slugger, squibbed a grounder to the right of the mound.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2018

Pinch hitter Jorge Orta squibbed a grounder towards first; Cardinals first baseman Jack Clark charged in and tossed the ball to reliever Todd Worrell, who ran to cover the bag.

From Time ● Oct. 14, 2014

He finally squibbed a curveball back up the middle.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 8, 2012

Total result of one of these firework displays: several thousand rounds of ammunition squibbed off, hundreds of star shells wasted, and no casualties.

From Bullets & Billets by Bruce Bairnsfather

But in the aftermath, many questioned why Buffalo sent its kickoff into the end zone rather than squibbing it to force a return and take critical seconds off the clock.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026

After the Sun Devils nearly broke another return, USC opted to go with its other kicking option, Michael Brown, who resolved to simply squibbing kickoffs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2019

Earlier this week, special teams coach John Baxter noted that USC struggled with squibbing kicks and thus would avoid that strategy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2019

The brawny Fielder had the only hit between them in the ninth, squibbing an infield single up the middle.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 5, 2011

The working laureate was, however, Master Moore, and in that capacity he first tried his hand at political squibbing, by launching some not very brilliant sarcasms against governments in general.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol 1-98, 1850-1899 None by Various (magazine) Harper


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