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
How hot these temperatures will actually feel depends on the humidity for each day, where predictions show heat indexes creeping 5-10 degrees above base temperatures. — Nico Berlin, Oklahoman, 7 July 2026 Authorities offered no immediate crowd count as the truck crept down the street. — Nasser Karimi, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
  • 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
  • Learn how to cook lionfish ceviche, jerk chicken, and more with a group of like-minded people from all over the world, concluding with an alfresco feast—a true one-of-a-kind connection between strangers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 June 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • As convenience store formats encroach on grocery and superstore territory in both size and assortment, chains need to consider how to maximize their popularity without creating excessive additional competition.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • Ditching a 90-year-old decision, the court said restrictions Congress placed on a president’s ability to remove members of independent agencies like the Federal Trade Commission encroached on presidential power.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of encroach
Verb
  • Trump is speaking now to a crowd filling the National Mall after being delayed by inclement weather.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • Attendees were told to shelter in nearby government buildings, and the celebration was delayed by a few hours before going on as scheduled.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • The lights off method is a simple means of identifying places in the garage where bugs or rodents might be crawling in.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 7 July 2026
  • Their father dismounted, went down on foot, climbed the fence his son had crawled under.
    — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • On Tuesday, the roller-coaster ride for AI stocks whipped back down, dragging Wall Street lower.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • With the process dragging on for months, the split of drama and comedy into separate departments, with Smith as head of the former, emerged as a likely scenario by mid-May.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 July 2026
Definition of drag
Noun
  • This cot-style find is made of breathable mesh fabric to keep your dog cool, and the steel frame features skid-resistant feet.
    — Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
  • Their dog was found alive, which gave the younger Eliezer Alfonzo hope.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 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
  • Food trucks reopened after the storm and long lines snaked around the vendor area.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The New River, which snakes through West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, may be one of the oldest river systems on earth.
    — Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 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 10 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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