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

But doubt crept into the stands as the game wore on, the mounting tension at times outshining the spiritwear. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Something like hope crept toward me when my oncologist was vulnerable about her own health. — David Elkowitz, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026

The stock ran up to $82 earlier this year, pulled back, consolidated, and has now crept back up to that same level. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

There was a lull in the action and our guide Mike Stahlman was searching to fill the silence that had crept into our duck blind. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 9 Sep. 2026

Reality crept closer on Saturday when renderings of a new White Sox ballpark in the South Loop were released by Canal Edge — a company owned by White Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia, who could run the team by decade's end. — Chris Tye, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

As Lake Powell’s storage has dropped below a quarter of its capacity and its surface waters have crept within about 40 feet of the penstocks that feed water to the hydroelectric plant and the river below, the river has warmed up. — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2026

The location opened Monday, welcoming a consistent rush of customers into the space, even as the afternoon waned and crept into the neither-lunch-nor-dinner hours. — Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Tech has crept into every facet of everyday life, like an invisible fog of ones and zeros. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026