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
-
Palace intrigue encroached on his confidence at times.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Lucah's second tooth had encroached, blocking the path for his right front tooth, which remains recessed in his gums, his mother said.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
On her show the evening of January 6, the Fox News host Laura Ingraham wondered aloud whether antifa sympathizers had infiltrated the crowd.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Everything's been infiltrated by hip-hop, really.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But then the Broncos’ offensive woes crept back to the forefront.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Individual mistakes crept into a squad that was already low on confidence from the end of Erik ten Hag’s managerial reign.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The woman had catheters inserted in her about 30 times over the years, but never had an experience like the one with Miller, the prosecutor said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The clerks inserted memory sticks from the tabulators with results from their local election into the laptop and a program transmitted them to the county through a dedicated, secured network.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One live roach crawled on the floor near the kitchen door.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Roaring out of the gates in Set 2, the Raiders mounted a commanding 10-2 lead, but the Storm went blow for blow with the Raiders and crawled back into the set.—
Andrew Cornelius,
Twin Cities,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Aftershocks are typically minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake.—
William B. Davis,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Stevenson slipped tackles on his season-long 56-yard run and 20-yarder, bouncing off hits and running with power and vision not seen from him since September.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By noontime, the line snaked away from the entrance for several blocks.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Few people are venturing from their homes, although businesses have begun to reopen and the long lines that had snaked outside the few pharmacies and supermarkets that were operational over the weekend are disappearing.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cartoons With a Purpose Some shows snuck in bits of learning without making a big deal about it.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The two-hour closer also snuck in a nod to Stranger Things‘ origins.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wormed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wormed. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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