creep 1 of 2

noun

Definition of creepnext
as in jerk
a person whose behavior is offensive to others finally found the creep who kept throwing his trash in the woods

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

creep

2 of 2

verb

ˈkrēp How to pronounce creep (audio)
1
as in to encroach
to advance gradually beyond the usual or desirable limits water crept slowly over the top of the tub and onto the floor

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2
as in to delay
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to crawl
to move slowly with the body close to the ground the kitten crept silently across the floor before suddenly pouncing on the mouse

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4
as in to drag
to move slowly the class hour seems to creep by

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 creep
Noun
When grass creeps into flower beds, or mulch blends into the lawn, the entire landscape can lose its sense of structure. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 2 July 2026 In my experience, mid-market companies operate with leaner teams and cannot absorb the sunk costs of a multi-month implementation with room for scope creep, reworks and failures. — Prathamesh Bhingarde, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
Farther north in the Bay Area, residents should expect temperatures in the 90s and some hot spots creeping into the 100s with little relief from the heat overnight, the National Weather Service said. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 As the clock crept toward midnight, team officials decided to try flying to New York on Friday morning instead. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for creep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creep
  1. jerk
  2. encroach
  3. delay
  4. crawl
  5. drag
  6. dog
  7. linger
  8. snake
Noun
  • Bates plans to expand that menu in the new brick-and-mortar restaurant, adding dishes like jerk catfish pasta and Louisiana Cajun cream sauce over dirty rice.
    — Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 8 July 2026
  • For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad.
    — Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • This may encroach on some of Cardinal Health's territory, but the company does a lot more than transport medicines from Point A to Point B.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 9 July 2026
  • The funk and rock sounds fight against ever-encroaching mud and hiss; pretty melodies are offset by punishing bass or rendered disorienting by creative panning in the mix.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026
Definition of encroach
Verb
  • Evan Longoria was inducted into the Rays Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony, which delayed the first pitch by 25 minutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • Rayfield also asked a state circuit court judge to delay the closing of the deal by 60 days so that his office could review the documents.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 11 July 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • Tents As a teenager, crawling into a small A-frame tent was a rite of passage.
    — Clay Abney, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2026
  • With fervent editing, careful scene geography, and assured direction, the walk before the run can be tense enough to send viewers crawling out of their seats, willing the fugitive onscreen to get a move on already.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • The untethered AUVs hover above the seabed instead of dragging equipment across it, reducing sediment disturbance and limiting ecosystem disruption.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
  • Overall, the plan is on par with a request the White House submitted to Congress last month, as the Iran war drags past four months.
    — Kevin Freking, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of drag
Noun
  • Sit, who went by the first name Tony, operated Happy K9 Academy and the dogs were in his care when they were kept in crates in a hot van and died, the district attorney’s office said.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
  • When an Instagram video with nearly 100 million views likened his appearance to a green onion — its wiry roots standing in as his hair — Haaland responded in the comments with a side-eyeing dog GIF.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • FireSat will help incident commanders get better information more quickly, and, unlike fire-spotting aircraft, the satellites can linger over a fire for days or weeks and aren’t hampered by high winds or smoke.
    — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The severe weather threat will linger for parts of the mid-Atlantic on Sunday, stretching from northern Virginia into southern New Jersey, with cities like Richmond, DC, Baltimore and Philly in the threat zone once again.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • Singer-songwriter and guitarist Nick DiSalvo’s plaintive vocals and snaking riffs can gently suggest thoughtful indie rock or tense up to show off more doom-adjacent roots.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026
  • Food trucks reopened after the storm and long lines snaked around the vendor area.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of snake

Phrases Containing creep

Browse Nearby Words

creeks
creep
creeper
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Cite this Entry

“Creep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creep. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on creep

Nglish: Translation of creep for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about creep

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