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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Some states now argue that prediction markets, which are federally regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and often offer betting lines on outcomes in sporting events, are encroaching on their regulated sportsbooks.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
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These insects are still evolving, and humans are increasingly encroaching on wild areas—more mosquitoes could continue to adapt to prefer feasting on us over other animals.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Israel says the new measures are necessary to ensure armed groups do not infiltrate humanitarian organizations.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
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Periodically over the years, some of these weekend warriors have tried to infiltrate Cuba.—
William M. LeoGrande,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In southwest Russia, where the border with eastern Ukraine snakes down to the Sea of Azov, lies the city of Rostov-on-Don, which serves as the headquarters of Russia’s Southern Military District.—
Sophie Spiegelberger,
New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2026
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Lines have snaked outside of Christy’s Tasty Queen all week, full of people hoping to get their hands on a few final pork tenderloin sandwiches.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak reads 130°F–135°F for medium-rare, about 5 minutes.—
Eric Wareheim,
Saveur,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Try inserting it from the sides or top to see which way is easiest.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the Bay Area slowly — some might say glacially — crawls into spring, there’s nothing better than sipping a hot cup of tea or coffee to warm yourself up.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
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To want to crawl out of your own body because your brain betrayed you?—
Peter White,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Guerschon Yabusele leveraged his success at the Olympics to revive his career and sneak back into the NBA.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2026
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The most dangerous look in regulation for either team came in the 56th minute, when UC’s Hayden Goldstein nearly snuck a free kick from 36 yards out underneath the top crossbar before it was stopped by a leaping Williams.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That later Presidents did indeed engage in military action without consulting Congress, creeping on to a power reserved for the legislature, is a fact of the past century and a half of American history but especially since the rise of the national-security state during the Cold War.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
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In full sun or partial shade and well-draining soil, creeping thyme puts on a show, with small flowers covering the ground like a colorful carpet.—
Jamie McIntosh,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Saudi Tadawul fell by nearly 5% before paring losses, while the Oman and Bahrain bourses also slipped.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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In other ratings action, on Monday, Fitch warned of the risk that Paramount’s financial and leverage targets will slip, and downgraded the group’s credit rating to BB+ from BBB-, and placed it on rating watch negative.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worm. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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