crawl 1 of 2

1
as in to creep
to move slowly with the body close to the ground the time we had to crawl through a narrow passageway from one cave to another

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
4
as in to burst
to be copiously supplied something must be up, as city hall is crawling with reporters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crawl

2 of 2

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crawl
Verb
The adjustable cords along the bottom cuffs even keep bugs from crawling up your calves. Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025 What to do if the -- if the original guy crawls out of his grave and wants his job back. ABC News, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
Multiple nodes in a stressed network can pump out redundant messages into the network, causing communications to grind to a crawl. Margo Anderson, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Oct. 2025 How Is It Expected To Affect the Housing Market? The U.S. housing market has slowed to a crawl this year, as buyers have kept to the sidelines due to ongoing affordability issues. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crawl
Verb
  • Domestically, the president is also navigating creeping inflation that is threatening his party’s prospects in the midterm elections, with Democrats staking their return to power on fears of an affordability crisis.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
  • But with Neo stepping into the household and taking on labor like housekeeping, job-seekers may have to compete with AI innovations creeping into the blue-collar world.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But as the stalemate has dragged on, some Democrats have been looking for a way out.
    Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Big bitcoin holders appear to be selling their tokens, threatening to drag the cryptocurrency deeper into the red, according to Citigroup.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • A day earlier, flights were delayed at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, New Jersey’s Newark airport and Washington’s Reagan National Airport because of air traffic controller shortages.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • His discharge has been delayed due to his father’s detention.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Messi picked up the ball from his compatriot Rodrigo De Paul in midfield and burst toward the backpedaling Nashville back line before slipping the ball outside to Luis Suárez.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The areas facing the sun heat up fastest, and if there is a weaker area on the surface of the comet, sublimated gases under the surface can burst through — causing these sun-facing jets.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, cheap hardware wears out fast.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Two incumbents — west Charlotte’s Thelma Byers-Bailey and Summer Nunn, whose district snakes along the county’s southern border — chose not to run for reelection to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education.
    Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Styled by Brad Goreski, Moore wore silver and ruby red drop earrings, a silver bracelet, and snaking rings.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Vogue's Anna Wintour playfully poked fun at Rocky's daughter being his namesake in her introduction to the rapper, 37.
    Anika Reed, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Sad and Beautiful World finds Mavis, 86, exploring, rediscovering, and poking holes at her lifetime of righteous optimism.
    Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Place pheromone traps around your closet to capture any lingering moths.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The moon is glimmering, the veil between worlds is thin and there’s an air of mischief lingering in the shadows.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crawl. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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