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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of worm
Security researchers this week detailed a pernicious malware that worms its way into Linux machines and uses a variety of techniques to evade detection.
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Andrew Couts, WIRED, 12 Oct. 2024
The flea larvae, which look like tiny maggots, worm their way into the carpet or mattress, feeding on the flea dirt that their parents left behind, says Benson.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2024
Unsurprisingly, then, my feed has been full of videos detailing lip filler that had wormed its way up to the philtrum (the groove in the upper lip) or, as in TikTok user Alissa aka @alissainthecity's case, gone even further.
—Charlotte Bitmead, refinery29.com, 20 Sep. 2024
The story centers around Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) a murderous con artist who worms his way into the life of the wealthy Dickey Greenleaf (Jude Law) and Dickey's girlfriend Marge Sherwood (Gwyneth Paltrow).
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for worm 
Andrew Couts, WIRED, 12 Oct. 2024
The flea larvae, which look like tiny maggots, worm their way into the carpet or mattress, feeding on the flea dirt that their parents left behind, says Benson.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2024
Unsurprisingly, then, my feed has been full of videos detailing lip filler that had wormed its way up to the philtrum (the groove in the upper lip) or, as in TikTok user Alissa aka @alissainthecity's case, gone even further.
—Charlotte Bitmead, refinery29.com, 20 Sep. 2024
The story centers around Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) a murderous con artist who worms his way into the life of the wealthy Dickey Greenleaf (Jude Law) and Dickey's girlfriend Marge Sherwood (Gwyneth Paltrow).
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for worm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worm
Verb
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And the performance notes from studio and network executives encroached more and more upon my dignity.Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
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When the battle took place, the Persian forces, led by Darius, King of Kings, had conquered and absorbed large swathes of western Asia and north Africa and were encroaching on northern Greece.Miriam Kamil, JSTOR Daily, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The resurgence shows that the Chinese government isn't backing down from its quest to infiltrate American utilities in preparation for a potential destructive cyberattack.Sam Sabin, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
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Sunni Muslim rebels infiltrated Lebanon, clashing with Lebanese soldiers and Hezbollah, abducting locals and setting off suicide bombs.Lauren Frayer, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Reached by a real asphalted road, which snakes around the mountainside, the mountain also affords spectacular panoramic views of wooded plains way below, stretching to the horizon.John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024
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Hit Taroona Beach, south of Hobart, during the warmer months to catch a thrilling after-dark duo: auroras snaking across the sky as electric blue bioluminescence pulses across the water.Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The fibers were bundled up into a 2.5-millimeter-thick (0.1-inch) catheter, which was initially inserted into animal brain models of TBI.New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024
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But instead of inserting a shell, heloudly snapped it back shut, with that sharp, signature ratcheting sound shotguns are famous for.Jennifer Edwards Baker, The Enquirer, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Some sailors clung to mooring lines, crawling across to find safety.Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024
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The creature then rips her mouth open and crawls inside.EW Staff, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The TikTok clip capturing Via’s reaction has garnered millions of views, with many parents chiming in about their own experiences sneaking pop culture references into baby names.Ashley Vega, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
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Later that night, Nina notices the Bride sneaking out of the palace and follows her.Hayden Mears, TVLine, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
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That is still low by historical standards, although the rate has crept up from 3.7% at the start of the year.Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
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That may allow patchwork-style legislation to creep into the AI sector.Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined for a fourth day, slipping 0.35%.Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
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At the motel, in between shots, De Oliveira approaches me and slips fragments of her own life story.Elisa Wouk Almino, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worm. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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