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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of worm
Though it’s charted for six weeks, wormed its way into people’s verbal tics, and made it into song-of-summer conversations, the song has only hit No. 3 on the ranking, sitting at a solid No. 4 this week.
—
Zoe Guy, Vulture, 24 June 2024
The film follows a poor family who deftly worms their way into the life of a wealthy family.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
By teasing the smith with information about the rings and playing on Celebrimbor’s ego and grievances, Sauron worms his way back into Celebrimbor’s good graces.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024
With that, a huge part of any new sports league is finding the right theme song, one that will stick viewers, carrying them through victory and sorrow, and worming its way into the back on their mind after endless hours of repetition.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for worm 
Zoe Guy, Vulture, 24 June 2024
The film follows a poor family who deftly worms their way into the life of a wealthy family.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
By teasing the smith with information about the rings and playing on Celebrimbor’s ego and grievances, Sauron worms his way back into Celebrimbor’s good graces.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024
With that, a huge part of any new sports league is finding the right theme song, one that will stick viewers, carrying them through victory and sorrow, and worming its way into the back on their mind after endless hours of repetition.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for worm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worm
Verb
-
The Nissan crossed the left travel lane in front of the black sedan, then encroached into the center lane, occupied by the Hyundai, causing the collision, the warrant affidavit said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Flames encroached on the trees where butterflies roosted and, while the tree grove remains standing but singed, the status of butterflies is unclear.—
Anton Sorokin,
Smithsonian Magazine,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
So begins an elaborate plot to infiltrate a graphic designer awards event to confront his tormentor head-on.—
Eric Berger,
Ars Technica,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The flooding led to water infiltrating 16 first-floor units and the management office at Betty Ann Gardens Apartments.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Long-range attacks have been a feature of the nearly three-year war, where on the front line snaking about 600 miles from northeast to southern Ukraine, the armies have been engaged in a war of attrition.—
Hanna Arhirova and Yehor Konovalov,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2025
-
Broadley’s African house snakes live in a variety of habitats, including woodlands and grasslands, from elevations of about 2,400 to 9,800 feet, the study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
To accomplish that goal, Lamont’s office inserted language into his budget proposal that would give him the authority to order the state’s 45-member Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee to allocate more $34 million over the next two years on his administration’s priorities.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2025
-
He’s inserted the agency into regulatory approval of the merger since Paramount’s sale of CBS broadcast licenses to Skydance remains pending before the FCC.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The victim suffered serious injuries but managed to crawl out of the woods and get help from a passerby, according to court records.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
14 Feb. 2025
-
If you're downed during a boss fight, teammates must revive you by whacking your crawling body.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The couple sneaked away for a double date dinner with Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs teammate, Patrick Mahomes, and his wife, Brittany, at the French restaurant Lilette in New Orleans Friday.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
Fox News,
8 Feb. 2025
-
This one stinks to high heaven for sneaking anger, self-pity, and jealousy under the guise of being a pseudo-compliment.—
John Bowe, Contributor,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Tocqueville paradox nicely captures the idea of concept creep and explains how people today can be outraged at (historically speaking) minor social injustices, despite being surrounded by (historically speaking) unprecedented equality.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Unfortunately, that’s what’s creeping into our city under current leadership.—
Timothy “Chaz” Stevens,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The permission slip to use free will that gives me is actually beyond words.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Our memories try to protect us, and often what slips from our remembering is what is best left behind.—
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
Vogue,
13 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to worm
Thesaurus Entries Near worm
Cite this Entry
“Worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worm. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share