1
2
as in to infiltrate
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way
over a period of several years, the undercover agent was able to worm his way into the drug kingpin's confidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of worm
Guiteau eventually worms his way into an audience, ostensibly seeking an ambassadorship for his dubious contributions to the campaign but, in reality, requesting a path to greatness.
—
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Popping in and out of the party's campaign headquarters with abandon (Secret Service didn't begin to protect the president until 1901), Guiteau tries to worm his way into Garfield's circle and somehow profit.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Any deal would need to worm its way through the competition regulator.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
We as a community contain (often brain-wormed) multitudes, as evidenced by this year’s plethora gay Halloween costumes.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worm
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Popping in and out of the party's campaign headquarters with abandon (Secret Service didn't begin to protect the president until 1901), Guiteau tries to worm his way into Garfield's circle and somehow profit.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Any deal would need to worm its way through the competition regulator.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
We as a community contain (often brain-wormed) multitudes, as evidenced by this year’s plethora gay Halloween costumes.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worm
Verb
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But work can encroach on personal time if professionals are not careful.—
Metro Creative Services,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
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Ward expense accounts have been a touchy area for mayoral administrations to encroach on in times of austerity.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It's been four years since Christine Marie and Tolga Katas infiltrated Samuel Bateman's polygamist sect while working on a documentary — a daring move that would eventually lead to his conviction.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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Swalwell cut off ties with Christine Fang, or Fang Fang, in 2015 after intelligence officials warned him and other members of Congress about Chinese efforts to infiltrate legislators’ offices.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This climbing plant is long and slender, snaking up trellises and winding around pergolas.—
Claudia Guthrie,
The Spruce,
9 Apr. 2026
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As rain poured on the northern provinces of Iran in late March, a somber crowd snaked through the mountain ranges of Asara carrying the coffin of Mohammad Reza Kia.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Biohazard waste containers are effective at keeping these items relatively inaccessible once they’re inserted until they’re emptied or disposed of appropriately.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 16 to 18 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another dealt with someone breaking up with her to get back with his ex, only to come crawling back.—
Brittany Levine Beckman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
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The town was crawling with boy band members, Mickey Mouse Clubbers and future Disney Channel stars.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Several candidates, including Marx, pledged to free the former Mesa County clerk, who was convicted for orchestrating a plot to sneak a third party into a secure area to examine voting equipment after the 2020 election.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
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But that was the only time the Badgers would sneak one past Hicks.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Each time a cell divides, its DNA is copied, but mistakes inevitably creep in.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Scientists knew it was triggered by the real world creeping in, but the exact microscopic cause remained out of reach.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hughes says buyers had just started to get comfortable with rates around six percent, and that the higher that number goes the more that comfort begins to slip.—
Brad Hamilton,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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But the Ducks managed just one shot on goal during the long power play, and Skjei slipped past Anaheim’s leaky defense on a breakaway and snapped a shot over Dostal’s right shoulder for a short-handed goal and a 3-0 lead with 58 seconds left in the second.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worm. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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