as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
at this creeping pace of progress we'll never have the float ready for the parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in encroaching
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
as in lingering
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in crawling
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
as in dragging
to move slowly
the class hour seems to creep by
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of creeping
Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
As a child, she was plagued by anxiety and the creeping sense that adults, especially her mother, were keeping secrets from the kids.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2023
Then comes the creeping sense that their conversation is screwy.
—Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022
For some, once the initial shock wore off, a creeping sense of inevitability set in.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 18 July 2022
This growing entanglement of the corporate and social, this creeping sense of being tracked by invisible eyes, demands an increasing sophistication about what is said and where.
—Kara Devlin, Longreads, 20 May 2022
But beneath the know-it-all tweets, there is a creeping sense that the psychological distance between the masses of 401(k) investors and the billionaire marks may not be that far.
—New York Times, 9 Oct. 2021
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Starring Dakota Johnson as an aspiring dancer who unwittingly finds herself surrounded by witches at an elite Berlin dance school, Guadagnino’s take is less Italian giallo and more an exercise in slowly creeping dread.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
Two years on from the attacks, October 7 is an opportunity to recognize that authoritarianism is no longer creeping onward but rather marching determinedly.
—Aviva Klompas, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
There’s a lead character’s creeping paranoia, a plot driven by nefarious and clandestine powers that be, the encroachment of the past on the present.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Over the weekend, social media videos showed water completely covering streets, creeping into front yards and parking lots.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
Next, place creeping wire vines all the way around, tucking them in toward the outer edges.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
In its fifth season, the series is creeping ever closer toward elder-statesman territory.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
First, during this same time, genre elements, and specifically dark speculative elements, were creeping into all fiction.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The overall effect is one of decadence laced with a creeping sense of horror.
—Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
As a child, she was plagued by anxiety and the creeping sense that adults, especially her mother, were keeping secrets from the kids.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2023
Then comes the creeping sense that their conversation is screwy.
—Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022
For some, once the initial shock wore off, a creeping sense of inevitability set in.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 18 July 2022
This growing entanglement of the corporate and social, this creeping sense of being tracked by invisible eyes, demands an increasing sophistication about what is said and where.
—Kara Devlin, Longreads, 20 May 2022
But beneath the know-it-all tweets, there is a creeping sense that the psychological distance between the masses of 401(k) investors and the billionaire marks may not be that far.
—New York Times, 9 Oct. 2021
Verb
Not even creeping death could quash the rock star within.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Starring Dakota Johnson as an aspiring dancer who unwittingly finds herself surrounded by witches at an elite Berlin dance school, Guadagnino’s take is less Italian giallo and more an exercise in slowly creeping dread.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
Two years on from the attacks, October 7 is an opportunity to recognize that authoritarianism is no longer creeping onward but rather marching determinedly.
—Aviva Klompas, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
There’s a lead character’s creeping paranoia, a plot driven by nefarious and clandestine powers that be, the encroachment of the past on the present.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Over the weekend, social media videos showed water completely covering streets, creeping into front yards and parking lots.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
Next, place creeping wire vines all the way around, tucking them in toward the outer edges.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
In its fifth season, the series is creeping ever closer toward elder-statesman territory.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
First, during this same time, genre elements, and specifically dark speculative elements, were creeping into all fiction.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeping
Adjective
-
For an extra touch of exclusivity, guests can book private outings on the resort’s 34-foot Hinckley Picnic Boat — ideal for sunset cruises or a leisurely day on the water.—
Angela Caraway-Carlton,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
-
From here, enjoy a leisurely drive along iconic Skyline Drive, which winds 101 miles along the park’s ridgeline.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The atmosphere of a Gothic novel creeps over you; encroaching mist along the outcroppings.—
Leanna Renee Hieber,
Big Think,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Bogard ventured to Chile to see how light pollution is encroaching on astronomy and changing our sense of place in the universe, perhaps irrevocably.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some analysts predict the measures could push Tehran to take a tougher nuclear stance, but the lingering threat of US and Israeli attacks gives Iran’s leaders limited strategic flexibility.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Miss Molly still lives on, lingering at the foot of guest’s bed.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And there's these little worms crawling around.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
-
This cute crawling crab toy is 44% off and is the perfect toy for encouraging movement and exploration.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The move ended with Gravenberch dragging the Galatasaray forward down outside the box and receiving a yellow card.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Last week in Chicago, federal agents descended in a Blackhawk to clear out an entire apt complex, dragging children out of their beds and zip-tying residents for hours without articulating any probable cause.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The episodes feel choppy, hardly letting anything land, yet still feeling slow.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The crowd, quietening into a slow clap with the moment building, burst into a celebration.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The federal government shut down Wednesday, delaying pay for federal workers (of whom there are 25,000 in Indiana), placing question marks on the financial health of federal aid programs like SNAP and WIC, and causing mass confusion and limbo in immigration court.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
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Staffing challenges – either at the local level, at the federal level or both – also could play a significant role in delaying interactions between the CDC and local health departments.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His East Carolina team had lost in the regional the day before, sliding to the brink of elimination.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Creeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeping. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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