worm

verb

Definition of wormnext
1
as in to encroach
to advance gradually beyond the usual or desirable limits neighborhoods worming into lands reserved for wildlife

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
3
as in to snake
to move slowly with the body close to the ground the cat silently wormed along the ground as it snuck up on the bird

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of worm The best success comes using it in jungle-thick cover, worming a minnow down between uncooperative branches. — John Phillips, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026 In terms of the complex set design — which looks like a facsimile of the same passage over and over but with subtle differences worming their way in — Kawamura and his team built two identical corridors for cinematographer Keisuke Imamura to follow the actors through, third- and first-person-style. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026 With the ability to worm its way through sensitive developer pipelines and machines, CanisterWorm represents a serious escalation of the TeamPCP’s campaign to steal as many credentials as possible. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 24 Mar. 2026 MomTok got Taylor on the plane and off to star in The Bachelorette, but not before Dakota worms his way in one last time. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for worm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worm
  1. encroach
  2. infiltrate
  3. snake
  4. insert
  5. crawl
  6. sneak
  7. creep
  8. slip
Verb
  • Ironically, as frontier labs increasingly encroach on the businesses of other firms, those firms have gotten louder along the same lines.
    — Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, rescues and evacuations were underway in northern Minnesota, where over a dozen fires caused by lightning strikes were burning and encroaching on remote campsites.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of encroach
Verb
  • Gotta hand it to Odysseus — having a bunch of soldiers hide inside a giant horse to infiltrate Troy worked out beautifully.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • Local growers are less likely to have contaminated water sources for irrigation, which is one way the parasite can infiltrate produce.
    — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of infiltrate
Verb
  • Singer-songwriter and guitarist Nick DiSalvo’s plaintive vocals and snaking riffs can gently suggest thoughtful indie rock or tense up to show off more doom-adjacent roots.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026
  • Food trucks reopened after the storm and long lines snaked around the vendor area.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of snake
Verb
  • The goal is to insert genes from Asian chestnuts, or modify American chestnut genes to act more like those in Asian chestnuts.
    — Steve Strauss, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
  • Redemption cards for each will be randomly inserted in packs.
    — Larry Holder, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of insert
Verb
  • Tents As a teenager, crawling into a small A-frame tent was a rite of passage.
    — Clay Abney, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2026
  • With fervent editing, careful scene geography, and assured direction, the walk before the run can be tense enough to send viewers crawling out of their seats, willing the fugitive onscreen to get a move on already.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • Homer would likely be easier to sneak through to the practice squad and then elevate on game days.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Nick, Schmidt, Coach and Winston manage to sneak into the mansion, with Nick desperately trying to make things right with Jess, who is now fully freaking out.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Definition of sneak
Verb
  • The surge in short interest coincides with a decidedly bearish sentiment creeping into what had been a relentlessly bullish AI trade.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • Associated Press Tropical Storm Bertha continues to creep across the northern Gulf as of Wednesday morning.
    — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of creep
Verb
  • Piastri hasn’t been on the podium since Miami in May as McLaren slipped behind Ferrari and, at times, Red Bull for outright pace.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Condo prices slipped slightly as inventory remains elevated following new state safety requirements after the Surfside collapse.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of slip

Browse Nearby Words

worldwide
worm
wormed
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Cite this Entry

“Worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worm. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on worm

Nglish: Translation of worm for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about worm

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