Synonyms of crept

crept

verb

past tense of creep

1

as in encroached

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

• encroached
• inched
• invaded
• sneaked
• wormed
• snaked
• entrenched
• intruded
• impinged
• infringed
• overstepped
• overshot
• overreached
• overran
• overpassed

2

as in lingered

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

• lingered
• crawled
• dragged
• delayed
• poked
• strolled
• loitered
• shuffled
• dawdled
• lagged
• played
• stalled
• fell behind
• diddled
• dropped behind
• tarried
• hung fire
• lollygagged
• marked time
• dallied
• lounged
• moped
• staggered
• sauntered
• ambled
• idled
• inched
• took one's time
• dragged one's feet
• dillydallied
• trifled
• loafed
• eased
• shilly-shallied
• fiddled (around)
• plodded
• puttered (around)
• lolled
• pottered (around)
• fooled around
• decelerated
• hung (around or out)
• lumbered
• slowed (down or up)
• messed around
• temporized
• monkeyed (around)
• procrastinated
• filibustered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hurried
• sped
• rushed
• hastened
• raced
• ran
• flew
• scurried
• dashed
• scooted
• tore
• whirled
• bolted
• ripped
• darted
• whizzed
• coursed
• rocketed
• whisked
• scudded
• zipped
• scrambled
• hustled
• barreled
• hurtled
• ran
• trotted
• stampeded
• breezed
• humped
• galloped
• sprinted
• jogged
• bowled
• careered
• accelerated
• quickened
• overtook
• hotfooted (it)
• sped (up)
• outstripped
• outpaced
• caught up
• outran
• fast-forwarded

3

as in crawled

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

• crawled
• slid
• snaked
• slithered
• tiptoed
• wriggled
• crouched
• wormed
• sneaked
• squatted
• groveled
• bellied
• inched
• edged
• stole
• nosed
• skulked

4

as in dragged

to move slowly

the class hour seems to creep by

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dragged
• crawled
• shuffled
• poked
• inched
• slouched
• limped
• oozed
• creaked (along)
• plodded
• nosed
• snailed
• trudged
• shambled
• tramped
• lumbered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flew
• raced
• sped
• sailed
• floated
• hurried
• whizzed
• zipped
• glided
• tore

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of crept

By spring, with the opportunity fading for a mass relocation of homes and businesses, optimism crept back into public discourse. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Europe has crept back on the scene in a real negative way, this time with France on the hot seat. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

The aberrant digit only crept in because Ford owned the rights to Model E and wasn’t interested in selling. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Orange is 5-0 for the first time since 2017 and has also crept into the final spot of The Times’ top 25 rankings for the Southland. — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

What comes next Mortgage rates crept back toward 7% in recent weeks, a shift that could squeeze buyer budgets even tighter heading into fall. — Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Twisty the clown crept around, Rubber Man made a second appearance, and black dahlias festooned every table. — Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026

Griffin Jax tossed five shutout innings and the Tampa Bay Rays crept closer to the AL East title with a 5-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. — CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Going forward, keep the area free of grass clippings, weeds, and other debris, and check periodically during the growing season to make sure plants haven’t crept back in. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026