wormy
Full of grubs
Wormy describes something infested with or damaged by worms: wormy apples, wormy wood.
It can also mean resembling a worm—twisting, crawling, or unpleasantly soft.
Figuratively, wormy suggests something corrupt, debased, or cowardly: a wormy little traitor.
The word carries connotations of rot and decay.
Infested with fly larvae
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- grubsImmature beetle stage
- caterpillarsLarval moths or butterflies
- weevilsSmall crop-destroying beetles
mealworms · riddled · eaten · holes · damaged · contaminated · spoiled · fruit
Broken down organically
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- spoiledRuined or overindulged
- decomposingOrganic matter breaking down
- molderingSlowly decomposing over time
fetid · foul · rank · tainted · corrupted · deteriorated · overripe · mushy
Digging underground passages
- soilGround matter for planting
- diggingRemoving earth below
- castingsShaped molten material
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
loam · subterranean · annelid · compost · aeration · nightcrawler · garden · dirt
Threadlike parasitic worm
- helminthParasitic worm organism
- intestinalOf the gut
- hostOne receiving guests
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
deworming · infestation · threadworm · whipworm · parasites · larvae · vermifuge
Twisting restlessly from discomfort
- wrigglingTwisting with short movements
- slitheringSmooth limbless locomotion
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
- slimyWet, slippery, unpleasant
gross · disgusting · repulsive · squeamish · creepy-crawly · unsettling · skin-crawling · writhing
Without bravery or nerve
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- weakLacking power or force
- snivelingTearful, pitiful complaining
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
servile · sneaky · suspicious · shady · untrustworthy · sycophantic · cringing · obsequious
maggoty
Infested with fly larvae
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- grubsImmature beetle stage
- caterpillarsLarval moths or butterflies
weevils · mealworms · riddled · eaten · holes · damaged · contaminated · spoiled · fruit · apple
decayed
Broken down organically
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- spoiledRuined or overindulged
- decomposingOrganic matter breaking down
moldering · fetid · foul · rank · tainted · corrupted · deteriorated · overripe · mushy · soft
tunneling
Digging underground passages
humus · loam · subterranean · annelid · compost · aeration · nightcrawler · garden · dirt · wiggling
nematode
Threadlike parasitic worm
- helminthParasitic worm organism
- intestinalOf the gut
- hostOne receiving guests
infection · deworming · infestation · threadworm · whipworm · parasites · larvae · vermifuge
squirming
Twisting restlessly from discomfort
- wrigglingTwisting with short movements
- slitheringSmooth limbless locomotion
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
slimy · gross · disgusting · repulsive · squeamish · creepy-crawly · unsettling · skin-crawling · writhing · icky
cowardly
Without bravery or nerve
groveling · servile · sneaky · suspicious · shady · untrustworthy · sycophantic · cringing · obsequious · timid
- animal-likeapish, apelike, avian, beastly, birdlike
- spoiledrotten, rotted, rotting, spoiled, spoiling
- wood statesdried, dry, wet, green, raw
- Insect Traitssix-legged, winged, antennae, exoskeleton, segmented
- food qualitiesripe, unripe, overripe, fresh, spoiled
- lumber gradesselect, common, premium, prime, utility
wormyfresh
Newly made, not stale
wholesome · pristine · unblemished · clean · sound
wormytrustworthy
Worthy of confidence
dignified · upright · honorable · noble · forthright
- can of wormsSource of unforeseen complications
- gummy wormChewy candy invertebrate
- food for wormsA dead body
- Computer wormSelf-propagating malicious software
- fishing wormBait for angling
- ear wormsSongs stuck in mind
worm, worms, earthworm, wormed, worming, tapeworm, silkworm, ringworm, wormhole