as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
at this creeping pace of progress we'll never have the float ready for the parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in encroaching
to advance gradually beyond the usual or desirable limits
water crept slowly over the top of the tub and onto the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in lingering
to move or act slowly
that Friday afternoon we were just creeping, waiting for the bell to sound so that we could start the long weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in crawling
to move slowly with the body close to the ground
the kitten crept silently across the floor before suddenly pouncing on the mouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in dragging
to move slowly
the class hour seems to creep by
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of creeping
Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
As a child, she was plagued by anxiety and the creeping sense that adults, especially her mother, were keeping secrets from the kids.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2023
Then comes the creeping sense that their conversation is screwy.
—Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022
For some, once the initial shock wore off, a creeping sense of inevitability set in.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 18 July 2022
This growing entanglement of the corporate and social, this creeping sense of being tracked by invisible eyes, demands an increasing sophistication about what is said and where.
—Kara Devlin, Longreads, 20 May 2022
But beneath the know-it-all tweets, there is a creeping sense that the psychological distance between the masses of 401(k) investors and the billionaire marks may not be that far.
—New York Times, 9 Oct. 2021
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Her works explored Oedipal urges and creeping fascism.
—Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
Seagrasses brought to these sea bottoms buried creeping stems, strong roots, and pliable leaves.
—David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
Jessica Winward’s lighting helps define the different periods — with sepia tones creeping into the past and brighter colors for modern day.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The plant that produces cucumbers is, after all, a creeping vine, and its history is shaped by different kinds of motion.
—Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026
With global temperatures creeping upward, what was once considered extreme heat is becoming the new normal.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Similarly, in the Brentford match, there were examples of frustration creeping into the Leeds play, resulting in low-quality shots being taken from range.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Then those lights flick off abruptly, dropping us into the dark like an elevator glitching down a floor, instead of delivering a creeping descent to hell.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The overall effect is one of decadence laced with a creeping sense of horror.
—Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
As a child, she was plagued by anxiety and the creeping sense that adults, especially her mother, were keeping secrets from the kids.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2023
Then comes the creeping sense that their conversation is screwy.
—Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022
For some, once the initial shock wore off, a creeping sense of inevitability set in.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 18 July 2022
This growing entanglement of the corporate and social, this creeping sense of being tracked by invisible eyes, demands an increasing sophistication about what is said and where.
—Kara Devlin, Longreads, 20 May 2022
But beneath the know-it-all tweets, there is a creeping sense that the psychological distance between the masses of 401(k) investors and the billionaire marks may not be that far.
—New York Times, 9 Oct. 2021
Verb
The technology is sweeping almost every profession while also creeping into people’s personal lives, sometimes with devastating consequences.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Her works explored Oedipal urges and creeping fascism.
—Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
Seagrasses brought to these sea bottoms buried creeping stems, strong roots, and pliable leaves.
—David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
Jessica Winward’s lighting helps define the different periods — with sepia tones creeping into the past and brighter colors for modern day.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The plant that produces cucumbers is, after all, a creeping vine, and its history is shaped by different kinds of motion.
—Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026
With global temperatures creeping upward, what was once considered extreme heat is becoming the new normal.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Similarly, in the Brentford match, there were examples of frustration creeping into the Leeds play, resulting in low-quality shots being taken from range.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Then those lights flick off abruptly, dropping us into the dark like an elevator glitching down a floor, instead of delivering a creeping descent to hell.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeping
Adjective
-
So the coming months are a period for cocktails in bigger glasses, vessels that welcome more liquid for more leisurely sipping.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Otherwise, consider the more posh neighborhoods of Chelsea and Kensington—ideal for leisurely days spent browsing boutiques and art galleries or strolling over to Notting Hill for coffee and craft bakeries.—
Katharine Sohn,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And nearly three-in-five Americans today fear the encroaching AI job apocalypse could make housing even more unattainable.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
This is news that is bound to be celebrated by many in the creative community who have become loudly and vehemently opposed to anything AI encroaching on Hollywood.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The primary suite is described as storage-rich and spa-like, with multiple closets and a bath built for lingering.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In our present moment, as the production and consumption of hot takes continues to accelerate, there is a powerful form of resistance to be found in lingering with the unfamiliar, in offering attention without the promise of a quick take-away.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maritime trade is crawling at Georgia’s ports, but the state authority that operates the nation’s third-busiest cargo terminals isn’t throttling back its expansion efforts.—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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An unusually strong high pressure system in the middle to upper levels of the atmosphere has been crawling across the southwestern United States in the past day or so, forecasters said.—
Roberto Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But right now, while the press is still bad and the lawsuits are still dragging, sellers should take a breath.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The SaaSpocalypse, ultimately, was a knee-jerk, existential reaction to where AI is (slowly, in many contexts) dragging the tech stack.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Affecting the first two receptors means retatrutide may help suppress appetite and slow digestion, which can help users feel full after eating even smaller meals.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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Long train rides and other slow travel between places offer exactly the meditative in-between space your nervous system is craving.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The chamber is set to leave Washington for a two-week recess at the end of this week, but Thune has not ruled out delaying the break if the shutdown is not resolved.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The driver was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and obstructing or delaying an officer, police said.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While road salt is a key element to preventing cars from slipping and sliding over roads in winter, the mineral can damage cars over time.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The company’s debt load far exceeded its market capitalization, and its credit rating was sliding toward junk.—
Nir Eyal,
Harvard Business Review,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Creeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeping. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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