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
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Rich, neutral, moist, well-draining Sedum (also known as stonecrop) comes in creeping or upright varieties.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 12 Apr. 2026
Here's how to get rid of creeping Charlie in your lawn and garden for good.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
O’Neal wrote about delinquents – characters whose exploits, their power, induced a creeping tingle on the back of your neck.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Premier League Preview A terrifying sense of déjà vu is creeping in for the Arsenal faithful.
—Jackie Powell, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Tuck in Herbs Add creeping thyme between stepping stones for a fragrant ground cover.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
Scientists knew it was triggered by the real world creeping in, but the exact microscopic cause remained out of reach.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
Another sign of creeping fatigue?
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 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
The footage showed Miles tied up to a punching bag while being interrogated by Uncle Aaron and Prowler Miles creeping above on the ceiling.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Rich, neutral, moist, well-draining Sedum (also known as stonecrop) comes in creeping or upright varieties.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 12 Apr. 2026
Here's how to get rid of creeping Charlie in your lawn and garden for good.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
O’Neal wrote about delinquents – characters whose exploits, their power, induced a creeping tingle on the back of your neck.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Premier League Preview A terrifying sense of déjà vu is creeping in for the Arsenal faithful.
—Jackie Powell, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Tuck in Herbs Add creeping thyme between stepping stones for a fragrant ground cover.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
Scientists knew it was triggered by the real world creeping in, but the exact microscopic cause remained out of reach.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
Another sign of creeping fatigue?
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeping
Adjective
-
The Lounge remains a favorite for leisurely breakfasts and afternoon tea.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
-
If all goes according to plan, its protective heat shield and a sequence of massive parachutes will ensure that the capsule—and the four astronauts inside—will land with a gentle splash in the Pacific Ocean at a leisurely 17 miles per hour.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The unusual crash underscores a growing problem across North Texas, where invasive wild pigs — now found in nearly every county — are increasingly encroaching on neighborhoods and roadways, causing damage, safety concerns and costly disruptions.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Since September, Rwanda’s government has been mapping agricultural land and using satellite imagery to track any development encroaching on farmlands and forests in a country where the population is expected to reach 22 million in a couple of years.—
Evelyne Musambi,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This pick swap between the Bulls and Trail Blazers is a final lingering mechanism from a 2021 three-team trade that sent Lauri Markkanen to the Cleveland Cavaliers.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
In an interview last month with CBS News, Kirby said the potential of lingering high fuel prices could be an opportunity for United to expand.—
Kris Van Cleave,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There were cardboard boxes strewn around the entirety of the house, and Ellie and Oscar were crawling in and out of them, playing hide-and-seek.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The tense battle culminates in the Beliskner being destroyed, in turn killing all the Replicators, except for one, which is seen crawling out of the ocean, setting up future battles with this duplicating menace.—
Daryl Baxter,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While some Lebanese people support Hezbollah, some also blame the group for dragging them into yet another war.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Community meetings about data centers nationwide are growing chaotic and contentious, with reports of police dragging residents outside and council members being threatened.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Or maybe this was a slow roll, meant to culminate with the two All-Stars crescendoing into the playoff push.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Feed Forever Goldy® Arborvitae annually in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Emergency managers from several states say the funding backlog is having a ripple effect in communities, straining local budgets and delaying or potentially derailing disaster projects that have taken years to plan.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 Apr. 2026
-
At the time, ICE blamed weather conditions for delaying transfers.—
Dennis Valera,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Picture waking up on a sunny morning, sliding floor-to-ceiling glass doors open, and stepping out onto a balcony to catch the sea breeze.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The living room is bright and airy with warm woods, vaulted ceilings, and sliding glass doors that let in ample light and lead out to a stone patio.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Creeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeping. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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