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 Like parasites, those jukebox musicals wormed their way into Broadway and slowly killed the medium. — Jesse Eisenberg, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 The flea larvae, which look like tiny maggots, worm their way into the carpet or mattress, feeding on the flea dirt that their parents left behind, says Benson. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 May 2026 OpenAI’s ChatGPT has wormed its way into more and more parts of consumers’ lives, from work to their children’s education, and even mental health and romantic relationships. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 16 May 2026 The best success comes using it in jungle-thick cover, worming a minnow down between uncooperative branches. — John Phillips, Outdoor Life, 14 May 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
  • The result is a political system in which a president can act in ways that may violate federal law, undermine democratic norms and encroach on Congress’ constitutional authority.
    — Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The buzzer sounded and Banchero encroached on Johnson’s space before Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu tried to break them apart.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of encroach
Verb
  • Desperate to see him and be by his side during his final days, Valeria commissions his artist wife, Isla (Hall), to paint her portrait— covertly infiltrating the intimate inner workings of Martin’s home and family.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In recent months, AI agents have infiltrated systems at Hugging Face and other companies.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of infiltrate
Verb
  • London installed granite rumble strips in Hyde Park, raised crosswalks across bike lanes at bus stops, and ran snaking paths through Van Gogh Walk in Brixton.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Democrat Kevin Chambliss, 45, defended his seat against Republican Miguel Granda to win another two years representing House District 117, a South Dade district that snakes around the Florida Turnpike.
    — Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of snake
Verb
  • Monday’s procedure involved inserting a screw in Brown’s neck to stabilize the stress fracture and improve circulation to the area.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The facility can insert atoms of nitrogen, silicon, germanium, tin, or carbon.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of insert
Verb
  • This suspect returns back to his car, retrieves his handgun, walks back over to the victim, who’s trying to crawl away with her life, and executes her.
    — Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That’s because the moon began to crawl across it about half an hour ago.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • Gonzalez answered later in the third quarter, making a 52-yard field goal that snuck through the bottom right corner of the goalposts.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Moog, one of the Australian creators of the popular Mighty Car Mods YouTube channel, sneaks into the top 40 with Shift.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of sneak
Verb
  • Then, for about half a mile, the crowd crept along Milwaukee Avenue onto West Diversey, ending at the Logan Square block where Delgado was slain last week.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • As sound check ends in Atlanta, Nastanovich creeps toward the stage’s edge to survey his options for jumping off.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of creep
Verb
  • With rain falling in the second half, linebacker Nick Bolton slipped and fell on the Bronco’s explosive 22-yard play to Adam Trautman on the drive that ended in a score.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Along with the new assortment of jewelry designs, Steff Eleoff will offer its signature tech ring covers, which slip over Oura rings and give the devices the elevated appearance of modern jewelry.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on worm

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about worm

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