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
Her strange presence in Georgia — where Gabbard reportedly arranged for FBI agents to make a post-raid call to the president — looks like nothing more than a way to worm her way back into his good graces.
—
Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Clara ends up moving to the small town and worming her way into everyone’s hearts.
—Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
Guiteau eventually worms his way into an audience, ostensibly seeking an ambassadorship for his dubious contributions to the campaign but, in reality, requesting a path to greatness.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Any deal would need to worm its way through the competition regulator.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worm
Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Clara ends up moving to the small town and worming her way into everyone’s hearts.
—Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
Guiteau eventually worms his way into an audience, ostensibly seeking an ambassadorship for his dubious contributions to the campaign but, in reality, requesting a path to greatness.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Any deal would need to worm its way through the competition regulator.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worm
Verb
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Gorris also said the risk becomes higher when humans encroach on rodents’ natural habitats.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
-
Most of these settlers farmed, but then the cities of Cleveland and Akron encroached from north and south.—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Even a senator's office appears to have been infiltrated.—
Vanessa Romo,
NPR,
14 May 2026
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In some areas, the guards themselves have been infiltrated or co-opted by criminal organizations.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Legislation in Louisiana seeks to address the Supreme Court ruling by scrapping a district that snakes over 200 miles (321 kilometers) northwest from the capital, Baton Rouge, to Shreveport, creating a voting bloc with a majority of Black residents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
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Louisiana map scraps snaking district Legislation in Louisiana seeks to address the Supreme Court ruling by scrapping a district that snakes over 200 miles (321 kilometers) northwest from the capital, Baton Rouge, to Shreveport, creating a voting bloc with a majority of Black residents.—
Jeffrey Collins,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Investigators said some female victims were found naked or partially unclothed, with evidence of severe mutilation and objects including grenades, nails and household tools inserted into their bodies.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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After being tested for airtightness, helium was pumped into the glass enclosure through thin tubes inserted into the lead lining, to protect the document from corrosive oxygen and parasites.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Surveillance video from one convenience store that was burglarized shows a man in a hoodie crawling in through a hole in the bottom of the front door, climbing over the front counter and opening the cash register.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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Staff started out by wearing bear masks and animal furs, then crawling into the enclosure to spoon-feed the cubs formula.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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That afternoon, Djena sneaked out of the house to meet Shams at the neighborhood Starbucks.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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The Brewers tied it in the fourth when Luis Rengifo's grounder to third sneaked under Royce Lewis' glove and allowed Brice Turang to score.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Inflation rates are creeping above average wage increases, and could stay there until the situation in Iran is resolved.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Still, dozens of drivers crept around the lot, hoping to pounce if someone pulled out.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The pair will remain visible for a few hours after sunset, before slipping from view below the spring horizon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
19 May 2026
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Underlying profit, which strips out non-trading items, slipped 8% to $458 million.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worm. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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