1
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of worm
In recent years, inclusion mandates and training have wormed their way into virtually every facet of American life, including (but certainly not limited to) Hollywood, corporations and academia, just to name a few of the most prominent targets.
—
Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
While all this is going on, Chloe begins secretly hanging out and hooking up with Tyler's friend Ryan (West Mulholland), a sinister jock who worms his way into her good graces as a shoulder to cry on.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
For context, the US intelligence community is currently reeling after discovering that hackers linked to the PRC wormed their way deep into US telecommunications infrastructure, potentially compromising things like phone calls and text messages.
—WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025
The uncertainty, the instability, the danger that pervades his life worms off the page and into your brain.
—Longreads, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for worm
Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
While all this is going on, Chloe begins secretly hanging out and hooking up with Tyler's friend Ryan (West Mulholland), a sinister jock who worms his way into her good graces as a shoulder to cry on.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
For context, the US intelligence community is currently reeling after discovering that hackers linked to the PRC wormed their way deep into US telecommunications infrastructure, potentially compromising things like phone calls and text messages.
—WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025
The uncertainty, the instability, the danger that pervades his life worms off the page and into your brain.
—Longreads, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for worm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worm
Verb
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While fire hasn’t encroached on the home yet, a fire burned on the other side of the mountain, Rodney Nelson said.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2025
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The laws that passed after 9/11 also undermined the First Amendment by encroaching on Americans’ religious liberty.—
Abdallah Fayyad,
Vox,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Setting Dani’s debut in motion: When an undercover FBI agent was killed in the field, Jubal’s team made the unnerving discovery that the identities of multiple UCs have been compromised — including Maggie, who had just infiltrated an increasingly skittish eco-terrorist group.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
2 Apr. 2025
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Over the last few weeks, LeBron James‘ cultural influence reached another sphere outside of sports when his name and likeness infiltrated the music world.—
Regina Cho,
VIBE.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Developed over two years, the Serpenti Aeterna watch snaking around the wrist features a clasp closure mechanism and signature hexagonal scales etched in the inner contour.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2025
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At the antiques shop, overflowing with bronze sculptures and ornate lamps, a train snakes through to dispense tea.—
Rachel Sherman,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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They can be installed at more ergonomic heights than a range, which requires bending over to insert or retrieve items from oven cavities.—
Jamie Gold,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Maybe most notable is their dial design which makes the buds incredibly easy to insert and control, both real-life conveniences that often get overlooked by reviewers and buyers alike.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Senators from both sides of the aisle are reigniting efforts to crawl back technology companies’ legal immunities with hopes bipartisan support in Congress could push the bill across the finish line this session and gain the backing of President Trump.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Investigators learned the girl had snuck out of her house at about 1:30 a.m. to meet up with someone, and that person likely killed her and left her body until it was found about eight hours later, Nienhuis said.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2025
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That Ukraine’s fiber-optic FPVs are now sneaking up on Russians in their sleeping bags is a good indication that the drones are becoming extremely capable.—
David Axe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Charges of price gouging—originally levelled at industrial farmers—were creeping into the sandwich space.—
H. C. Wilentz,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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Gill-over-the-ground (also known as creeping charlie), purple dead nettle, henbit and chickweed provide sustenance for early bees, beetles, flies and wasps.—
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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After slipping into Taurus, the sun will clash with Mars on April 20, followed by powerhouse Pluto on April 21.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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But are we really supposed to believe that wife-of-the-year Karen Wilson would let such an important date slip her mind?—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worm. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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