squib
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
It's no mean feat, albeit both were a damp squib with Scotland wheezing their way to an early exit on each occasion without really landing a punch on, well, anyone.
From BBC ● Nov. 17, 2025
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
It’s only when I hear a squib of Noise not my own that I open my eyes.
From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness
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
Bellinger hit a grounder that squibbed past Beltre at third base.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 13, 2018
Manny Machado led off and squibbed the first pitch back to Osuna for an easy ground out.
From New York Times ● Oct. 4, 2016
Howard and Fisher could have squibbed the chance to change Australia’s gun laws, but they didn’t.
From Time ● Jun. 5, 2014
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
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
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
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
And there is a cabinet minister; well, we know what he is; I have been squibbing him for these two years, and now that I meet him I feel like a snob.
From Endymion by Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield
