creepy

adjective

ˈkrē-pē How to pronounce creepy (audio)
Definition of creepynext
1
as in eerie
fearfully and mysteriously strange or fantastic a fascinating but creepy stage show by an offbeat magician

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disturbing
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings a creepy aura about the abandoned farmhouse—as though something horrific had happened there

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 creepy The monsters when finally shown in the light are more shrug worthy than creepy or terrifying. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026 The potential for creepy-crawlies doesn’t need to ruin the fun of bringing flowers home. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 4 Aug. 2026 There’s also a creepy carnival, which is my favorite autumnal micro-trope (everyone say thank you, Ray Bradbury). — Hannah Whitten, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026 Men are supposed to pay for dinner but also treat women as equals; to initiate flirty banter but never be creepy or aggressive; to be sturdy and masculine but also empathetic and thoughtful. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for creepy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creepy
  1. eerie
  2. disturbing
  3. haunting
  4. uneasy
  5. unsettling
  6. tense
  7. nervous
  8. anxious
Adjective
  • Then, after a series of eerie harbingers, the Platts discover the power and water in the house have shut off in the aftermath of an intense storm, and the atmosphere outside has turned unsettling and oddly tropical.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
  • In Greenwich Park, with views of the River Thames and central London, the sky turned an eerie gray as a sliver of light sat atop the moon like a hat.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of eerie
Adjective
  • The disturbing incident comes amidst a sharp increase in both felony and misdemeanor assaults in the subway system.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The story follows a husband and wife who buy their dream ranch only to discover the land is alive with ancient spirits, and survival means submitting to increasingly disturbing rituals with each turn of the season.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • There’s nothing more haunting than walking on those beautiful soundstages that are ghost towns.
    — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Despite lingering radiation, Pripyat draws photographers and history enthusiasts eager to witness one of the most complete—and haunting—portraits of a city abruptly frozen.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026
Definition of haunting
Adjective
  • Some users appeared to grow uneasy, even as Polymarket let people bet on whether the fires would spread to nearby counties or when they might be contained.
    — Cole Reynolds, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The doll arrives at an uneasy moment for the brand it’s built on.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • The script is generally funny and romantic but can also get unsettling.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Set against the remote, insular world of its titular island, production designer Steve Arnold and set decorator Jennifer Engel created a lived-in, slightly stuck in time and, when necessary, deeply unsettling environment.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsettling
Adjective
  • Backstage at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum that Sunday evening, Lee was feeling tense, Lifeson less so.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Angels is relentless, melodic, and aggressive—Pocket Pet and Achilles are standouts—a darkly feverish run of glitchy and tense soundscapes.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of tense
Adjective
  • Severe illness can affect the central nervous symptom and result in hospitalization or death.
    — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Given all that, is Green nervous about working within the system once more?
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Fortunately for the anxious among us, and less fortunately for those still loyal to the dying rituals of interpersonal correspondence, Cynthia has recently moved to online reservations.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Yet even the president’s die-hard supporters are becoming more anxious about the costs associated with the war.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxious

Browse Nearby Words

creep up
creepy
cremate
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Cite this Entry

“Creepy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creepy. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on creepy

Nglish: Translation of creepy for Spanish Speakers

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