1
as in encroached
to advance gradually beyond the usual or desirable limits
neighborhoods worming into lands reserved for wildlife
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in infiltrated
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 wormed
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
After a scramble from Baltimore’s corner kick, Kerr’s header at the back post wormed through a thicket of defenders, and Cuthbert had the final touch.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
This story has wormed its way into all levels of British cultural output.
—Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Abby Monteil, Them., 31 Oct. 2025
After a scramble from Baltimore’s corner kick, Kerr’s header at the back post wormed through a thicket of defenders, and Cuthbert had the final touch.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
This story has wormed its way into all levels of British cultural output.
—Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wormed
Verb
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In an era when IP is king at the theatrical box office, particularly when it’s encroached upon by streaming, what’s the trick to figuring out if an original project can play to a mass audience or a Gen Z one?—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2026
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Palace intrigue encroached on his confidence at times.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The shock that we could be attacked on our own soil by people who infiltrated the country with the purpose of attacking it has faded.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
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And the public needs to be aware of the advances and take action, especially if your phone has been infiltrated.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And this wouldn’t be the first time that a traditional signifier of masculinity crept back into mainstream culture by way of performative half jokes.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
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Beside her, the crowd crept forward, wrapping around Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Cupich at the front.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The last time Tyler came back from an extended absence, in that case to toe issue, he was utilized off the bench in his first game back and then inserted into the starting lineup the next game.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Roast on a rimmed baking sheet until skin is crisp and a thermometer inserted into thickest parts (without touching bones) reads 165°F, about 25 minutes.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After two hours in their second pass, a large object crawled across the screen of Ehorn's Klein side-scan sonar.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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One live roach crawled on the floor in front of a storage rack with seasoning and cans.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For the occasion, Ice Spice slipped into glossy patent leather pumps with an ultra-sharp pointed toe.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
20 Feb. 2026
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Shares of Eli Lilly have popped 17% over the past 12 months but have slipped 5% this year.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Saturday, the order line at Café Corazón had more energy than usual as a conga line snaked through hundreds of guests to a DJ playing Latin pop in the café’s intimate lobby.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2026
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Irrigation tubes snaked across the craters of empty plant holes.—
Rachel Becker,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hill responded to the contract with one of the best seasons of his career, catching 119 balls for 1,710 yards and seven touchdowns as the Dolphins finished 9-8 and snuck into the playoffs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 Feb. 2026
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Levy sneaked back to the kitchen to help clean up.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wormed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wormed. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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