worm

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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 Keep your pet’s vaccines and worming medications up-to-date since they can be exposed to rabies, canine distemper and other parasites from raccoons and their waste. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 May 2025 Some shower caps use materials that can allow a certain amount of water to worm its way through, which entirely defeats the purpose of wearing the cap in the first place. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 The pair share a complicated relationship from the early episodes of Season 1, where Sauron, disguised as a helpless traveler, wormed his way into her heart and good graces. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 8 May 2025 This process has been a bit of a slog, with Google's models improving slowly while simultaneously worming their way into many beloved products. ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for worm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worm
Verb
  • Still, given enough time, some stars will encroach on our personal space.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2025
  • If encroaching kids and pets are cramping your style, a mega mattress might help.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Words change meaning over time, slang infiltrates the mainstream, and sometimes, a little creative license is acceptable.
    Jerry Weissman, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Such attacks have already infiltrated U.S. water and wastewater systems, according to the non-profit think tank Center for Internet Security, which briefed law enforcement on Friday.
    Pierre Thomas, ABC News, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • When his man left to protect the lane against Gilgeous-Alexander snaking back against the blitz, Williams would get the swing pass from his point guard and attack the rotated defense.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • During the early years, the Pines might have been best known as the home to the Hollywood Sportatorium, where people stuck in a long line of cars snaked along a two-lane road to see rock concerts.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Bake in preheated oven until tomatoes burst and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of thighs registers 165°F, about 45 minutes.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
  • This might happen, for instance, if there is any bacteria on syringe needles inserted into a vial.
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The next day, at 9:10 p.m., Boelter crawled out of a wooded area and surrendered to law enforcement.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • To make the stakes even higher, Player 39 crawls to the edge after the round ends.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • While Lian was staring in the mirror practicing her hows and lows and preparing for her future, Wenyu was sneaking out of prep class more and more frequently to pull petty pranks with her new boyfriend.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
  • At the end of Season 2, In-ho so graciously betrays everybody and eventually sneaks away from the pack, fakes his own death of the walkie talkie, and then puts his mask back on and punishes Gi-hun for causing this whole revolt and shoots and kills his best friend right in front of him.
    Jim Halterman, Variety, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • This trend that fuses sensuality, rebellion, and urban style has crept into the closets of celebrities, influencers, and fashion experts alike.
    René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 4 July 2025
  • In contrast, PepsiCo’s stock has shown minimal movement, creeping up only about 4% from $130 to $135 during the same timeframe.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Notifications ping, Slack channels light up, and deep work slips further away.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Inside each room, guests can slip into traditional Japanese house garb (provided complimentary by the hotel), admire modern decor by designer Tony Chi, or take a dip in the jacuzzi-style tub.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worm. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on worm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!