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

Grubbs grew up in a northwest suburb called Marietta, before the sprawl of Atlanta crept in. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Indiana had crept back within striking distance early in the third quarter, and Gainbridge was rocking, sensing a signature Fever win in the making. — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

On a moonless night, that Alpha team crept silently from the statue’s belly and wrenched open the gates of Troy, decisively ending the war in their favor. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026

As the clock crept toward midnight, team officials decided to try flying to New York on Friday morning instead. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Authorities offered no immediate crowd count as the truck crept down the street. — Nasser Karimi, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

When the rain cleared, an American flag that covered most of the outfield was unfurled during the national anthem, and the fog slowly crept in. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Authorities offered no immediate crowd count as the truck crept down the street. — ABC News, 5 July 2026

Doubt crept into the mind of at least one person who called out the golf influencer for using AI. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026