creep 1 of 2

Definition of creepnext

creep

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

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
This summer flower creeps along to eventually drape over the sides of window boxes and baskets. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026 Everybody on the right creeps left, and everybody on the left creeps right. Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Cameron milks this awesome sequence for all its worth, and the adrenaline rush is palpable as those smoking weapons do their best to strike down creeping creatures until the last bullet fires. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026 Even the smallest crack or window gap can allow cool air to escape and hot air to creep in. Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for creep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creep
Noun
  • There’s an almost-friendship-ending rift over husbands (Brent Thiessen is Cee Cee’s, a cool-guy theater director; Ben Jacoby is Bertie’s, a rich jerk) that feels deeply dated and, in the context of the women’s tell-each-other-everything friendship, just plain weird.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The jerk chicken is rubbed in a sweet honey glaze.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Space can also prove an issue, because some school administrators see even tiny gardens in 5-gallon buckets as encroaching on their schools’ playgrounds.
    Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Songs here that start off surprisingly bracing resolve into big, sleek choruses, the work of firm believers in the power of heroic, high-protein mainstream alt-rock as a salve against encroaching darkness.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Old luggage barcode stickers can confuse airline systems and increase the risk of bags being misrouted or delayed.
    Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Following exhibitions in 2018 and 2019, however, Olympic inclusion was scrapped when COVID-19 delayed the Games.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • One day after the fights, a toddler managed to crawl under a fence at Hersheypark's ZooAmerica and stick his hand into the wolf enclosure while his parents were reportedly distracted on their cell phones.
    Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Adobe could be crawling its way out of the software stock abyss, after a buyback and an endorsement from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revived confidence in the digital media provider.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The wave of online comments was sparked by the boss of condom maker Karex, Goh Miah Kiat, who said the Malaysian company planned to raise prices by 20%-30% and possibly more if supply chain disruptions due to the Iran war drag on.
    Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
  • After dragging Newport from right to left and back to the right again, holding midfielder Ashley Charles goes over the top to find Ilunga on the right.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While coverage is expected to be more scattered, isolated strong to severe storms could still produce hail and gusty winds, particularly where daytime heating and lingering boundaries overlap.
    Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The two men dined at a table alone, lingering long after all other diners had dispersed.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Edelweiss Snacks extended its standby queue to corral the snaking line of hungry Disneylanders waiting to buy a Garlic Cheesy Brat, according to MiceChat.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Another car snakes down the road.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • When Andrei Vasilevskiy tried to poke the puck away, Bolduc had moved so deep into the crease area that the puck went off him and into the net for his first career playoff goal.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The host also poked fun at the Trumps’ living separately despite being married for 22 years.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Creep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creep. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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