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

For months now, so much vitriol crept into our TVs, interrupting the Bears or your favorite college football team with a special message from a super PAC or a partisan looking to score points by smearing their opponents. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

LePage’s decision to spend more time in Florida after leaving the governor’s mansion has also crept into the consideration of at least some voters following a drumbeat of attacks by Dunlap. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

If your routine has crept past the double-digit step count and your skin keeps misbehaving anyway, the fix probably is not another serum. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

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