wormlike
Definition
- Adjective:
- Resembling a worm in form or movement: Having a long, thin, cylindrical, and often segmented body shape, similar to that of an earthworm or larva.
- Totally submissive, cringing, or groveling: Behaving in an excessively humble or servile manner, lacking in spirit or dignity.
Usage and Examples
Describing physical form:
- The creature had a long, wormlike body that moved in undulating waves.
- Archaeologists found wormlike burrows in the ancient rock.
Describing submissive behavior:
- His wormlike flattery in front of the boss was embarrassing to watch.
- She refused to adopt a wormlike attitude, even under intense pressure.
Advanced Usage
In a biological/zoological context: Used to describe organisms or structures that have a vermiform (worm-shaped) morphology.
- The parasite has a wormlike larval stage before it matures.
In a figurative/pejorative context: Used to criticize a person's character or demeanor as weak, spineless, or obsequious.
- The dictator was surrounded by wormlike sycophants who never disagreed.
Variants and Related Words
- Wormy (adj): Infested with or resembling worms. (e.g., ).
- Vermiform (adj): Technically meaning "worm-shaped." (e.g., ).
- Worm (n/v): The base word. As a verb, it can mean to move like a worm or to insinuate oneself (), which relates to the behavioral sense of "wormlike."
Synonyms
- For form: Vermicular, sinuous, serpentine (though serpentine can imply grace).
- For behavior: Servile, obsequious, groveling, sycophantic, fawning, cringing, spineless.
Antonyms
- For form: Straight, rigid, bulky.
- For behavior: Assertive, independent, dignified, proud, defiant.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To worm one's way into/out of something: To achieve something by use of sly or persistent methods, often involving flattery or deceit. This idiom connects to the behavioral aspect of "wormlike."
- He wormed his way into her confidence by constantly agreeing with her.
Adjective
-
totally submissive
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