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as in to delay
to move or act slowly
the deadline is fast approaching, so this is no time to crawl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of crawl
Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
On Saturday, April 4, an unsupervised child crawled under an exterior perimeter fence and then made his way to the primary metal enclosure that surrounds the wolf habitat, according to a spokesperson for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2026
The beatdown started with a low crawl up King’s steep gravel driveway.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crawl
Verb
As a toddler, Gabriela crawled about the UCLA clubhouse at reunions.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
On Saturday, April 4, an unsupervised child crawled under an exterior perimeter fence and then made his way to the primary metal enclosure that surrounds the wolf habitat, according to a spokesperson for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
That slows down the action to a crawl and de-juices the plot of its payback joy.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2026
The beatdown started with a low crawl up King’s steep gravel driveway.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crawl
Verb
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Each time a cell divides, its DNA is copied, but mistakes inevitably creep in.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists knew it was triggered by the real world creeping in, but the exact microscopic cause remained out of reach.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In addition to being concerned about targeting, is there a sense from other people in the country that some Shias had brought this on themselves by supporting Hezbollah, and that Hezbollah dragged this country into the war?—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
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The paraeducator said Vaughn-Marcella allegedly grabbed the boy’s feet and dragged him 10 to 12 feet out of the classroom, according to the affidavit.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The contest was delayed for about 10 minutes in the fourth after plate umpire Ron Kulpa exited due to taking a foul ball off his mask.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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Along with Buttó, right-hander Hayden Birdsong underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, while right-handers Joel Peguero (Grade 2 hamstring strain) and left-hander Reiver Sanmartin (right hip flexor) sustained injuries that delayed the starts to their seasons.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After heavy rain, swollen streams can burst their banks, carrying mud and boulders down the mountainsides.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
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Fernandez-Pardo burst down the left flank then slipped the ball between two defenders and found the unmarked Haraldsson at the far post.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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East Sacramento Partnerships for a Livable City sued Sacramento after the council approved the McKinley Village project, alleging city officials violated CEQA by failing to disclose and make efforts to address air quality, public health, traffic, and other issues.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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The legislation follows a Hearst investigation that found that 10 school systems in the state were employing armed security guards who falsified traffic citations, failed to report deadly pursuits or engaged in racial misconduct.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This climbing plant is long and slender, snaking up trellises and winding around pergolas.—
Claudia Guthrie,
The Spruce,
9 Apr. 2026
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As rain poured on the northern provinces of Iran in late March, a somber crowd snaked through the mountain ranges of Asara carrying the coffin of Mohammad Reza Kia.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wrencher said Russell once tied her to a chair, poked her with a knife, and threatened to burn the house down, the son said.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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Both characteristics were on full display when Drasner hit the local airwaves with a television commercial that promoted The News and poked fun at one of its upstart rivals.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Just the check, the soft clatter of plates and that lingering smell of basil and coconut that follows you out the door.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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The children are now in the fourth grade, but Thompson believes their friend’s death has had a lingering impact on their lives.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crawl. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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