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
Our sensibilities may be able to cope with Willoughby as a cad, but not as—to put it generously—a creep. — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026 Issues like scope creep, sloppy time tracking and pricing that no longer matches reality can lead to money left on the table. — Drew McLellan, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
Knowing that we cannot be separated from the love of God brings hope when feelings of insecurity, panic, or grief attempt to creep in. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026 By spring, with the opportunity fading for a mass relocation of homes and businesses, optimism crept back into public discourse. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 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
  • That roller coaster of flavor and tenderness comes from dry-aging the steaks for 30 to 40 days in rum, and a marinade that involves both jerk spice and Onwuachi’s mother’s Creole green seasoning, a paste of herbs, aromatics and peppers.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • This book includes nothing from Elain’s perspective; hopefully, the next book will prioritize her and possibly offer some magical explanation for why the rest of the Night Court has been such jerks to one another in this novel.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 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
  • However, a new type of gut-crawling worm being designed by engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), may actually be here to help.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Firefighters bravely crawled past the fire before hoses reached it to pull the five family members out.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • Supporters — business groups and affordable housing advocates — say CEQA lawsuits drag projects out for years, jacking up your rent and mortgage.
    — Kiara Adams, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Related Stories The allegation relates to an incident in which Brand allegedly grabbed the woman by the arm and tried to drag her into a toilet.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of drag
Noun
  • Lamm told TechCrunch that conventional breeding can produce dogs with poor eyesight or genetic predispositions to cancer.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Cadaver dogs also alerted to the scent of a corpse in the vehicle.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • Coming out of Saturday's showdown in Austin, those questions are going to linger over the next five to six weeks.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Moton lingered on the turf for a while, punching the turf in pain and dread, before a cart came out to transport him to the locker room.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • The pair notices that others can’t make calls, either; a restaurant loses its checkout interface; and everyone is snaking cords around to keep devices charged for the moment when service returns.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Unsurprisingly, the idea of comically long private paths snaking through fragile wetlands so a lucky few can get to their boats wasn’t popular with the public.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of snake

Phrases Containing creep

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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 31 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on creep

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about creep

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