CREEPING Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

creeping 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkrē-piŋ

Definition of creeping

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

creeping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of creep

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

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

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

as in dragging

to move slowly the class hour seems to creep by

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 creeping

Adjective

The play depends on the creeping eeriness of thinking your place of comfort has been corrupted and undercut by evil. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 The warmth of the film—shot on location in Positano, Italy—only adds to its creeping, sexy menace. — Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026 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

Kiju was trying to keep her voice level, but desperation was creeping in. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026 Oklahoma gasoline prices on the rise Aside from diesel, regular unleaded gasoline is also creeping upward. — Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 11 Sep. 2026 But inflation has been uncomfortably high since the pandemic and has been creeping higher again this year – a sign of an economy that is running too hot. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 But, too often, pieces start creeping their way into the entry that don’t belong there. — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2026 But when the death watch beetle starts creeping around Kylie’s boyfriend (Xolo Maridueña), an emotionally available DJ — the script’s words, not mine — the truth about her bloodline comes spilling out. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 Comfort food season is creeping closer, and few things warm you up — and warm your heart — like a cozy bowl of mac and cheese. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2026 Use Weed Control Fall is a great time to kill broadleaf weeds such as dandelion or creeping Charlie. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026 But now that fall is slowly creeping in, our wardrobes are ready to turn over a new leaf, too. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeping

Adjective

Before a night out filling your belly with local grub in the Old Port (which is a leisurely 20 minutes away on foot), hit the Five of Clubs bar for a seasonal drink like the cantaloupe- and lemon-laced Melancholia, along with half a dozen oysters.

— Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 7 Sep. 2026
In lower Manhattan and beyond — caught by paparazzi — he can be seen out and about in big sunglasses and tiny shorts, taking leisurely strolls with his fiancée, Zoë Kravitz.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of leisurely

Verb

Trapped between the encroaching criminal forces and a supernatural evil no one else will confront, Younger must fight to save his mother and survive the estate long enough to escape it.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Uber Technologies will lay off about 3,300 employees, or 10% of staff, in its largest cuts since the COVID-19 pandemic, to better navigate the rise of robotaxis encroaching on its ride-hailing business.

— Akash Sriram, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of encroaching

Verb

Still, there was a cloud of public doubt lingering over the event.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
For evening observers, this apparition has been more frustrating than triumphant, with Venus lingering low in the glow of twilight instead of climbing into a commanding position.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of lingering

Verb

The inspector also saw a roach couple crawling under the three-compartment sink.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
Sacramento County Health Inspectors gave a red placard to a Curtis Park doughnut shop after finding dozens of German cockroaches, including one crawling into the space behind the standing mixer.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of crawling

Verb

Shares of Bank of America fell about 5% on Monday, dragging other financials with it, as investors baked in lower positive operating leverage this year.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
That is complemented by Fernandes dragging Dias out of position, which allows Mbeumo to attack the vacated space.

— Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of dragging

Verb

In addition to suspending operations on the four existing cameras, the village is delaying installation of the other eight until concerns are addressed.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026
While researchers have made tremendous headway in diagnosing the disease early and delaying symptom onset, a cure remains elusive, and a detailed understanding of the mechanisms behind the disease still has too many gaps.

— Mike McRae September 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of delaying

Browse Nearby Words

creepiness

creeping

creeping up

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Creeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeping. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of creeping

adjective

verb

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