1
as in encroached
to advance gradually beyond the usual or desirable limits
neighborhoods worming into lands reserved for wildlife
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
OpenAI’s ChatGPT has wormed its way into more and more parts of consumers’ lives, from work to their children’s education, and even mental health and romantic relationships.
—
Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 16 May 2026
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
Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 16 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wormed
Verb
-
Cuba has long defended its decision to shoot down the planes, insisting that Brothers to the Rescue had encroached on the country's sovereignty.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
18 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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In the middle of his soiree, the Spaniard had crept away from the other guests to tell Smit some exciting news.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
-
Security cameras showed the moment three masked suspects crept through the backyard of a La Cañada home before forcing their way inside.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
12 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
-
Woods ultimately crawled out of the passenger side of his Land Rover after the crash.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
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When a Republican says something foolish, network anchors react like a gator just crawled into the studio wearing a MAGA hat.—
Larry Clifton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The farmer then slipped into a coma and only came out of it a few weeks later, with doctors calling him a miracle, per the BBC.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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However, last season the singer quietly slipped into stadiums and attended every home game largely under the radar.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Turner snaked through the gauntlet, as his teammates playfully slapped and shoved him around.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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Old Cheng was waiting patiently at the bottom of a steep mountain ridge as the minivans carrying our news team snaked their way through the Yan mountains to meet him.—
Erin Tan,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The man was not a hotel guest and allegedly sneaked around the hotel’s key card security system.—
Larry Seward,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
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Defenseman John Carlson made a weak play off his forehand along the left-wing wall that was devoured by Ivan Barbashev, who snuck the puck past Granlund to Dorofeyev for a goal from the slot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wormed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wormed. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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