creeps 1 of 2

plural of creep

creeps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of creep
1
as in encroaches
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
3
as in snakes
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

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 creeps
Noun
But some see broader social dangers at work as such ideology creeps into national politics. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 As the novel unfolds, Carson follows Lexa’s life at the foot of the mountain, as she is caught between loyalties to her family and to her betrothed, while the spectre of violence creeps closer by the day. Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2025 But as the company scales, complexity creeps in—more people, more systems, more moving parts. Kirk W. McLaren, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 That being said, the guilt of leaving for me-time creeps in for so many parents at the end of a long day. Staff Author Updated, Parents, 18 Aug. 2025 Becoming well established in the profession takes years to get there, and doubt creeps in along the way. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
Unlike a broken leg or a sudden illness, hearing loss often creeps in quietly. Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Bias also creeps into the data used to train these algorithms, for example when the composition of teams that guide the development of such facial recognition software lack diversity. Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeps
Noun
  • The mechanism feels smooth and sturdy—no awkward jerks or wobbles.
    Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Life is too short to work with jerks.
    Shayne Fitz-Coy, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • While a new generation of young singer-songwriters encroaches on country music’s old guard by the day, the Texas barnstormer has found his footing with a fan base hell-bent on capturing every moment Myers affords them.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The rise of fascism encroaches on her like a disease, culminating in a personal invitation from Mussolini himself, but we’re dealt countless scenes of Eleonora’s psychosis before we’re granted a contextual explanation of what feeds it.
    Blake Simons, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the footage, the dog hilariously crawls under the blanket, which had slipped down the side of his crate, and ends up pulling it completely off.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Dead Bug Ab-cross crawls support overall ab strength.
    Health Editorial Team, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Originating in the Tibetan Plateau, the Nujiang River snakes its way through southern China andeventually flows into Myanmar.
    Lauren Liebhaber September 2, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The route then snakes through the landscape near Ndabaka Gate in the national park; expect gravel roads and gently paved tarmac, as well as zebras, giraffes, and buffalo.
    Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Maybe his rehabilitation drags.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The North Carolina General Assembly returned Tuesday for the first time since last month, as a budget stalemate between the House and Senate drags on.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The brand’s giant green owl mascot dances badly, makes obscure pop culture references and pokes fun at the company’s push notifications.
    Leeron Walter, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Like his contemporaries, Meyers often pokes fun at the ongoing actions of the president and his administration on Late Night.
    Emlyn Travis Updated, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As August fades into September and the aching heat recedes to cooler temperatures, the last of summer slides away.
    Kat Robinson RIVER VALLEY EATS, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2025
  • When Ivy begins experiencing anaphylaxis, Theo slides papers in her direction that would give him ownership of the property.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Because global air travel shuffles millions of people around the world daily, an outbreak of a very contagious disease anywhere can become a threat everywhere.
    Amy E. Stambach, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2025
  • With Noni Madueke doubled up on out wide, Zubimendi shuffles backwards to receive the pass, and then fires a pass into Martin Odegaard, breaking the first two lines of the opposition’s 4-4-2 defensive block.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Creeps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeps. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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