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
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
Popping in and out of the party's campaign headquarters with abandon (Secret Service didn't begin to protect the president until 1901), Guiteau tries to worm his way into Garfield's circle and somehow profit.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Any deal would need to worm its way through the competition regulator.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for worm
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Popping in and out of the party's campaign headquarters with abandon (Secret Service didn't begin to protect the president until 1901), Guiteau tries to worm his way into Garfield's circle and somehow profit.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Any deal would need to worm its way through the competition regulator.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for worm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worm
Verb
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Those rapid-fire changes have prompted advocates to sound the alarm — and sue the Justice Department — arguing that the new rules encroach on due process in the country’s immigration courts.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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When Mays retired last season and Antoine Thompson was hired, Graham stepped away, not wanting to encroach on the new head coach’s time.—
Ishmael Johnson,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Swalwell cut off ties to Fang in 2015, after intelligence officials briefed him and other members of Congress about Chinese efforts to infiltrate the legislative body.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
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As reporters, our job is to infiltrate that sacred space, to barge in with notebooks and cameras and ask questions that no one wants to answer, that very often no one yet has answers for.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Air travelers are paying the price of the shutdown with unpredictable, snaking TSA lines at airports across the country, jeopardizing their chances to pass through security on time for their flights.—
Graham Hurley,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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The consequent disruptions ground some airports to a near-halt, while others contended with security lines that snaked out into parking lots and lasted upward of four hours.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Artists apply paint to replicate skin tones, and hair is inserted strand by strand.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Justice Department inserted itself into Peters’ bid to be released while her state appeal was considered.—
Colleen Slevin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Until Isaacman’s program makeover, Artemis III was crawling toward a moon landing no sooner than 2029.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Woods’ car then rolled onto its driver’s side and he was forced to crawl out the window.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the months after the meeting in Europe, Chalker arranged to sneak Bernadine’s wife and several close family members out of Iran.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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But no need to sneak snacks in with you.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The technology is sweeping almost every profession while also creeping into people’s personal lives, sometimes with devastating consequences.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Her works explored Oedipal urges and creeping fascism.—
Laura Regensdorf,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Caroline Holcombe slipped a perfect pass to Audrey Anderson in the box, but her shot attempt bounced off the hands of Sophie Strain, the goalkeeper for Guyer (20-4-1).—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
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Draghi, who also served as Italy’s prime minister, states that, without radical reform, the European Union is set to slip into economic and geopolitical decline.—
Francesca Cassidy,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worm. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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