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
And yet a creeping sense of dread also suffuses the novel, as a vision of people in chains, first revealed in a mysterious nightmare-inducing sculpture, eats away at everything.
—Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Dec. 2022
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
As the film moves to the seventh day, a creeping sense of catastrophe settles.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 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
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Another sign of creeping fatigue?
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Yet, there’s this creeping cynicism after things like the January 6th attack.
—Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025
In this age of EVs, I'm never shocked by a vehicle creeping past or have a jump-scare cyclist blow past me (well, not never…some of them are ridiculously quiet).
—Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
As the drone closes in, the Russian can be seen creeping forward toward the Ukrainian lines, apparently unaware of the danger overhead.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024
Taking a new job at the love testing institute, Anna meets Amir and her already creeping doubts grow larger.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
With vehicle pricing these days being so over inflated and mass-market brand vehicles creeping over the $60K price point when optioned up, to see an E-class base price north of $65K, makes sense to me.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 21 Dec. 2024
There has been, though, creeping skepticism about whether most of the reports are due to people mistaking stars or the routine fights of aircraft for drones.
—Jay Blackman, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024
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
And yet a creeping sense of dread also suffuses the novel, as a vision of people in chains, first revealed in a mysterious nightmare-inducing sculpture, eats away at everything.
—Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Dec. 2022
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
As the film moves to the seventh day, a creeping sense of catastrophe settles.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 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
Invasive plants also spread quickly in multiple ways, such as by seeds, creeping stems and roots, or fruits eaten by birds and dropped elsewhere.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Another sign of creeping fatigue?
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Yet, there’s this creeping cynicism after things like the January 6th attack.
—Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025
In this age of EVs, I'm never shocked by a vehicle creeping past or have a jump-scare cyclist blow past me (well, not never…some of them are ridiculously quiet).
—Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
As the drone closes in, the Russian can be seen creeping forward toward the Ukrainian lines, apparently unaware of the danger overhead.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024
Taking a new job at the love testing institute, Anna meets Amir and her already creeping doubts grow larger.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
With vehicle pricing these days being so over inflated and mass-market brand vehicles creeping over the $60K price point when optioned up, to see an E-class base price north of $65K, makes sense to me.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 21 Dec. 2024
There has been, though, creeping skepticism about whether most of the reports are due to people mistaking stars or the routine fights of aircraft for drones.
—Jay Blackman, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeping
Adjective
-
Walking Faster Improves Health in Multiple Ways In addition to decreasing irregular heartbeat risks, steady and brisk walking was also connected to other improvements in overall health compared with leisurely walking.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Take a leisurely stroll through a nursery or garden center to see other planting ideas and supplies for your yard.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Magical door wash to welcome in the new To create your magic door wash, start with a glass mason jar and cleanse the space above it by ringing a bell in a clockwise motion to clear any lingering energy.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Don't jump to conclusions about a compromise state budget plan with cuts, taxes and a lingering bit of uncertainty.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The company reaffirmed plans to launch an affordable model in early 2025, but warned the production ramp could be slower than expected.—
Akash Sriram and Abhirup Roy,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Marie Collins, a survivor and safeguarding expert from Ireland who served on the commission in the early years, resigned in frustration at the slow pace of change.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But the $12 billion decline in his fortune has more to do with asset shuffling than stock price movement.—
Julie Goldenberg,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
-
James has been shuffling back and forth between the NBA and the G League.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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On Wednesday, March 19, the couple filmed an Instagram Reel poking fun at their recent red carpet interview with Extra at the grand re-opening of Planet Hollywood in NYC on Tuesday, March 11.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Roots Growing Out Drainage Holes Roots poking out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot is a sure sign your plant needs a bigger pot.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Employees of a store in the Aloha State were in for a slithering surprise after a two-foot snake was found inside a shipping container of Christmas trees sent to the island.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
22 Nov. 2024
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The world's largest slithering snake is sure to send a tingle down your spine.—
Ashlyn Messier,
Fox News,
12 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Creeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeping. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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