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
Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
American co-pro money has slowly been creeping back into the market and Salt comes bearing receipts.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
Sedums come in many varieties, from creeping groundcovers to upright shrub-like plants.
—Angela England, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, the Keetch-Byram drought index is creeping higher.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
But there are growing signs of creeping financial pain, linked to a distorted war economy.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
More of the surface turns dark — this is when the visual drama starts, with Earth’s curved shadow creeping across the lunar face.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
But prior to last week’s announcement, longtime observers noticed a hint of malaise creeping into the fan base.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
But increasingly at the Milan Cortina Games, sponsors are creeping into the action.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
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
Martha felt a creeping boredom in the long hours when nothing at all happened.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
American co-pro money has slowly been creeping back into the market and Salt comes bearing receipts.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
Sedums come in many varieties, from creeping groundcovers to upright shrub-like plants.
—Angela England, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, the Keetch-Byram drought index is creeping higher.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
But there are growing signs of creeping financial pain, linked to a distorted war economy.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
More of the surface turns dark — this is when the visual drama starts, with Earth’s curved shadow creeping across the lunar face.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
But prior to last week’s announcement, longtime observers noticed a hint of malaise creeping into the fan base.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
But increasingly at the Milan Cortina Games, sponsors are creeping into the action.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeping
Adjective
-
In the heart of it all, the open-air Art Park is a destination in itself, ideal for leisurely walks, bike rides, or a picnic lunch on the grass.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Keep your eyes out for destinations that allow for leisurely boat or lounge days, unique culinary possibilities, art and design experiences, wellness programming, and nature—without a party-first atmosphere, Del Duca recommends.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Groundcover Low-growing groundcover junipers seldom need pruning except to remove dead tips resulting from winter damage or to keep them from encroaching on other plants, sidewalks, driveways or structures.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The male cockroaches are territorial, defending females in their area and competing against encroaching rivals.—
Emma Gometz,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Though both storms are similar — with a major storm system lingering over the region for over a day and whipping the region with merciless hurricane-level winds, driving inch after inch of wet snow — what made the 1978 storm so devastating was the apparent suddenness of its arrival.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers seems to be in pole position, but there is still Cole Palmer at Chelsea, Phil Foden at Manchester City and the lingering conundrum of how Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham fits in.—
Rob Tanner,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Galahadosuchus represents one of the early ancestors of that lineage, and the evolutionary path from upright sprinter to belly-crawling ambush predator is a long one.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2026
-
But Baba’s streets were crawling with ICE proxies during his entire childhood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An Apple Valley man convicted of murder for setting up a Bloomington marijuana deal and then hitting and dragging the seller with his SUV while speeding off with the drug was sentenced to 12½ years in prison Tuesday.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
24 Feb. 2026
-
More broadly, Lawson over-relies on staticky textures and bottomless reverb, occasionally washing the songs together and dragging the album under the weight of its vibes.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But that boost also didn’t last long – 2025 was marked mostly by Russia’s slow, grinding offensive along the 1,200-kilometer-long frontline.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Implementing peace deals is notoriously difficult, so slow progress can be expected.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this season, Garland had surgery on his left big toe and then sprained the right big toe, which continues to give him problems, delaying his Clippers’ debut.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Some of those detainees could be charged in the weeks to come in Minneapolis, where a number of prosecutors have quit – delaying cases and slowing the court system.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Kids pulled in on sleds by their parents are yelping in glee, slipping and sliding around jaws of ice.—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Creeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeping. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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