as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
the crawling pace of the narrative is really frustrating
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in creeping
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
2
as in dragging
to move slowly
the weekend traffic on the road to the beach just crawled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in poking
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 crawling
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
This cute crawling crab toy is 44% off and is the perfect toy for encouraging movement and exploration.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
In one photo, Collins' baby daughter could be seen wearing a matching lilac set and crawling on the ground.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The clip shows what appears to be a centipede crawling around behind the digital screen of the toaster oven.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Teams have for days meticulously tunneled under the rubble, crawling on their hands and knees searching for signs of life, knowing the unstable structure could again buckle upon them.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
For a child who’s crawling or walking, a mat with pop-up walls or fencing can keep your little one safe and contained.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Waking up an hour earlier than expected and being hosed with mountain runoff water while crawling in the pool tested my resilience and determination.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
The cookline oven’s door latch had four live roaches crawling around it.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
And there's these little worms crawling around.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
This cute crawling crab toy is 44% off and is the perfect toy for encouraging movement and exploration.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
In one photo, Collins' baby daughter could be seen wearing a matching lilac set and crawling on the ground.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The clip shows what appears to be a centipede crawling around behind the digital screen of the toaster oven.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Teams have for days meticulously tunneled under the rubble, crawling on their hands and knees searching for signs of life, knowing the unstable structure could again buckle upon them.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
For a child who’s crawling or walking, a mat with pop-up walls or fencing can keep your little one safe and contained.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Waking up an hour earlier than expected and being hosed with mountain runoff water while crawling in the pool tested my resilience and determination.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
The cookline oven’s door latch had four live roaches crawling around it.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crawling
Adjective
-
This was true, though on that particular visit the pain had to do mostly with the need to take the children to play areas buzzing with sounds and lights, with not having any leisurely meals or time to wander.—
Ayşegül Savaş,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
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Michigan residents and fall color enthusiasts have many ways to take in the rich fall tapestry across Michigan, among them several steam trains excursions that provide a leisurely trip cross country to view the leaves.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Not even creeping death could quash the rock star within.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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Starring Dakota Johnson as an aspiring dancer who unwittingly finds herself surrounded by witches at an elite Berlin dance school, Guadagnino’s take is less Italian giallo and more an exercise in slowly creeping dread.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The move ended with Gravenberch dragging the Galatasaray forward down outside the box and receiving a yellow card.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Last week in Chicago, federal agents descended in a Blackhawk to clear out an entire apt complex, dragging children out of their beds and zip-tying residents for hours without articulating any probable cause.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Bad Bunny has commented little, save for an SNL monologue poking fun at the situation.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
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The bit kicked off by poking fun at the Senate hearing that took place earlier this week.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cardinals running back Emari Demercado seemed destined to stretch Arizona’s lead to three touchdowns after bursting through the Titans defense for what appeared to be a 72-yard touchdown run.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
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However, as investors have continued to seek out opportunities in AI, concerns have been raised about the possibility of a bubble bursting somewhere down the line.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Losing is so deeply ingrained in the fabric of this franchise that every slow start has the potential to snowball.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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His administration has seen some success; inflation in Argentina eased this year to the slowest monthly pace in more than four years.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
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Right tackle Andrew Wylie, with Cosmi sliding over to help, took defensive lineman Jacob Martin.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Jaguars are shuffling corners.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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Eliminate middle schools Known as Option G, the proposal essentially eliminates middle schools by moving sixth grade to elementary schools and shuffling seventh and eighth grades to the high schools.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crawling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crawling. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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