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
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
-
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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Measles crept into Utah and Arizona in June, with reports trickling into local health departments of patients coming to doctors and saying their children had just recovered from full-body rashes, and parents telling pediatricians that their whole family had just recovered from measles.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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This move would likely mean Denver moves on from Evan Engram; quietly, the organization explored alternatives at tight end through free agency, but the price crept too high.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Boston inserted Baylor Scheierman and Luka Garza to begin the second quarter, and both made immediate impacts.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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Don’t expect to see Mitchell Robinson inserted into the starting lineup.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
24 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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Escondido, which is sophomore-heavy, slipped to 4-17 overall, 1-7 in league play and has lost seven in a row.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Arsenal’s biggest spike came in the 59th minute when Kai Havertz, slipped through by Martin Odegaard, fired straight into Gianluigi Donnarumma’s hulking frame from just outside the six-yard box.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 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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The 76ers snuck into the playoffs after having some struggles all season.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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My grandfather always snuck an extra few pounds into my fist with the wink of an eye.—
Emma Clarke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wormed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wormed. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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