creeps 1 of 2

Definition of creepsnext
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 crawls
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
The opposite happens in the Southern Hemisphere, when the polar vortex around Antarctica creeps northward. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2026 Artemis 2 rocket creeps along toward launch pad NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket, the second-ever Space Launch System booster, is slowly making progress along the 4-mile journey to its Florida pad at Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Tariq Malik, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2026 Similar risks are faced by dishwashers that are fed by open pipes, especially when ice creeps into garages or bare utility areas. Connie Etemadi, Freep.com, 17 Jan. 2026 The applause for blocks, leaves and singles gets louder and meatier as England’s target creeps under 100, but Jacks’ dismissal with 97 still required ends any realistic hope of the unlikeliest of away victories. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025 The days when self-blame creeps back in are less frequent now. Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025 Keep in mind also that after Mike warns Kyle that his next-door neighbor in AdSeg is one of the most perniciously manipulative creeps Mike has ever known, Kyle still seems inclined to listen to what Merle has to say. Noel Murray, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2025 Meanwhile, the impacts of the impasse continue to spread, from millions at risk of losing their government assistance and going hungry to massive air-traffic interruptions as winter creeps in just two weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025 Driving through lush, evergreen rainforest, far past the industrious city of Seattle, a rolling mist creeps in. Christina Fang, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Mintz agrees that intentional time matters, especially when guilt creeps in. Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026 Each 40-ish minute episode following the premiere delivers diminishing returns, Elba can only beg people to listen to him so many times before growing monotonous, and when the train creeps to a polite stop at its final destination, there’s little suspense to the resolution and even less sense. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Jan. 2026 As the 2026 Super Bowl creeps closer and closer, fans have started to make their predictions as to which two teams will play in the big game. Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 10 Jan. 2026 Move too far away from it and the outside chill creeps in. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025 Depop determined that, as decision fatigue creeps into even the act of getting dressed, reliable replicas (think tailored trousers, sharp outerwear, crisp button-downs) will become the backbone of Gen Z wardrobes. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025 And as the player progresses, the game skillfully creeps towards horror, creating a growing sense of unease as the end of summer approaches and one of the girls shows signs of an intense, potentially deadly rage she’s kept just below the surface. Richard Newby, Time, 6 Dec. 2025 As winter weather creeps in, several road construction projects around Milwaukee are set to pause until spring. Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 17 Nov. 2025 For Dimon, bureaucracy is a reflex that creeps into any large institution and shields leaders from reality. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeps
Noun
  • Instead, the Engel-Jackson family is more run-of-the-mill awful — a recognizable pack of self-serving jerks more focused on the appearance of cheer than any real kindness.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Dec. 2025
  • That rich people sure can be easily manipulable jerks?
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Cloud Dancer, a white that is both warm and cool, reflects an overwhelmed feeling among consumers as the world feels louder and technology, in particular AI, encroaches further into our lives.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
  • As the third weekend of November encroaches upon us, so does the holiday season — and streaming networks are picking up the cheer in full swing.
    Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Adding insulation to all or a portion of the room can help to prevent the drafty, frigid feeling that lingers in the cold season.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Frigid air lingers into the weekend as a massive winter storm takes shape south of our area.
    Laura Bannon, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • John Tufts The weather outside is about to get frightful as a potentially dangerous winter storm crawls its way across the country.
    John Tufts, IndyStar, 23 Jan. 2026
  • In the video, the coyote crawls out of the water and struggles to get his footing once on the rocks.
    Amanda Hari, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But scenes like this in Minneapolis, where one officer drags a woman and another points his gun at bystanders, have raised questions about their conduct.
    Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
  • An officer then drags him by the hood of his jacket.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Moon also pokes lucky Jupiter in your very own sign, which pushes you to show up boldly without overextending yourself.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Is every head that pokes in to look at me actually Frank himself?
    Shane Kowalski, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Make the Road Action and New York Communities for Change backed Reynoso over rival Assemblywoman Claire Valdez in the battle for the deep-blue district that snakes through parts of northern Brooklyn and western Queens.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park in Chicago is an artificial trail that snakes a quarter-mile around towering climbing walls, with glittering skyscrapers for a backdrop.
    Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Tristan returns home and greets James while Siegfried shuffles the woman out the window.
    Alice Burton, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
  • That is not unique — Major League Baseball’s offseason shuffles along at a deliberate pace, just as the Dodgers historically have liked.
    Katie Woo, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Creeps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeps. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

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