1
as in encroached
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 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
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum initially believed that the bug, which eluded detection and caused countless medical issues, wormed its way into her system while filming Bravo's The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco in early 2023.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wormed
Verb
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On their endless search for nutrients, hyphae encroached into empty spaces.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
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But ever since, the family has alleged individuals have encroached on their beach, forcing them to put up no trespassing signs and hire private security, according to a supplemental complaint filed by Brian against the Walton County Sheriff’s Office last year.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It's been four years since Christine Marie and Tolga Katas infiltrated Samuel Bateman's polygamist sect while working on a documentary — a daring move that would eventually lead to his conviction.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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Handala recently infiltrated a US medical equipment provider called Stryker, wiping thousands of IT systems and employee devices.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the '80s gave way to the '90s and, later, the new millennium crept in, all-male singing groups became a defining part of pop culture.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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Even so, a little magic has crept into the proceedings, with some brands concealing their cleverness in plain sight and others putting more of the horological art on display.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This permanent chip is inserted under the skin on the scruff of their neck and can’t be tampered with.—
Jessie Quinn,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
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Paramount has also started opening sports inventory to commercials that are inserted in programmatic fashion, making some of its top programming available in new ways that might bring in a wider array of ad backers.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Margot, who works for a social-media platform called Kino and shares a New Orleans apartment with her bestie, Ryan (Aaron Holliday), has only just crawled out of a dark period and doesn’t require much to teeter back in.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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As a toddler, Gabriela crawled about the UCLA clubhouse at reunions.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, the professional dancer slipped from Efron's grasp, landing face-first on the floor.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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Green’s game has, in fact, slipped significantly since the Warriors’ heyday.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Airport-security lines snaked into terminal basements or out their front doors.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
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As rain poured on the northern provinces of Iran in late March, a somber crowd snaked through the mountain ranges of Asara carrying the coffin of Mohammad Reza Kia.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Boston successfully killed a Frost power play shortly thereafter — Aerin Frankel made a timely kick save on a cross-crease feed to Lee Stecklein — but Minnesota cashed in even strength to cut Boston’s lead to 2-1 when Kendall Cooper’s shot from the blue line snuck past Frankel.—
Jason Cooke,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
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Prosecutors said Serafini had snuck into the Lake Tahoe home while the married couple was out on the lake.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wormed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wormed. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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