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
Or maybe the steady, unobtrusive creep of conservatism has been the idea all along. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2026 Subscription creep can sneak up on you, so having a tool that keeps them all in one place can be helpful. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
Eisenkot is viewed by supporters as a capable leader with sterling security credentials who, along with his likely governing partners, could act as a bulwark against creeping illiberalism. — Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026 LePage’s decision to spend more time in Florida after leaving the governor’s mansion has also crept into the consideration of at least some voters following a drumbeat of attacks by Dunlap. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 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
  • Mido, the jerk who blocks your progress in Kokiri Forest, has been subtly rewritten from bully to overbearing but well-intentioned boss.
    — James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Whizzing up and down the hills of San Francisco, I was at once mesmerized by the steering wheel turning on its own and a bit scared of the occasional jerk and sudden stop.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • The buzzer sounded and Banchero encroached on Johnson’s space before Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu tried to break them apart.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In general, California property owners can trim branches and roots that encroach onto their land.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of encroach
Verb
  • The tests could easily do the opposite, as people with results suggesting cancer require follow-up testing that overwhelms our healthcare system, potentially delaying diagnoses for people with cancer.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The game was one of many across the Southland delayed or postponed by lightning, particularly in Orange County.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • This suspect returns back to his car, retrieves his handgun, walks back over to the victim, who’s trying to crawl away with her life, and executes her.
    — Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That’s because the moon began to crawl across it about half an hour ago.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • Difficulties dragging the Tyler Technologies project over the finish line dogged Preckwinkle throughout the primary.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • No evidence of foul play was discovered, though the investigation dragged on.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of drag
Noun
  • After contracting the plague, he was banished to a cave, where a dog brought him bread and healed his wounds by licking them.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Anyone seeking to adopt a dog or cat can fill out the adoption form on their website.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • Onshore flow lingers on Tuesday, then begins to lessen on Wednesday.
    — Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Much like on Baby Keem’s Ca$ino, another recent rap epic undone by its author’s inability to overcome lingering trauma, BigX can’t always navigate around his unnamed haters.
    — Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • London installed granite rumble strips in Hyde Park, raised crosswalks across bike lanes at bus stops, and ran snaking paths through Van Gogh Walk in Brixton.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Democrat Kevin Chambliss, 45, defended his seat against Republican Miguel Granda to win another two years representing House District 117, a South Dade district that snakes around the Florida Turnpike.
    — Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on creep

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about creep

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