crawl 1 of 2

1
as in to creep
to move slowly with the body close to the ground the time we had to crawl through a narrow passageway from one cave to another

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
4
as in to burst
to be copiously supplied something must be up, as city hall is crawling with reporters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crawl

2 of 2

noun

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 crawl
Verb
This tension slows decision-making to a crawl, unless leaders understand that without decisive action, the business might be at risk of becoming obsolete in the near future. Alex Brueckmann, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Before the bar crawl gets underway, Jere and Belly have a quick naked romp and agree to end the evening together on the beach. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
The same neural circuit allowed the robot to crawl on land and navigate around obstacles. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025 The pair is seen crawling through a wildflower field, dancing, and jumping, but also hollering at each other, brandishing knives, and at some point, Lawrence licks a window with zeal. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crawl
Verb
  • The jobs report from July shattered the narrative that the economy of 2025 was strong, revising previous figures downward and revealing something close to an 80% collapse in hiring, even as inflation crept upwards and layoffs rolled.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Most bills still require 60 votes to creep forward, and there are no signs of that level of Senate support for so clearly defying Trump.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This is not about dragging NATO into war.
    David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • After being struck from behind, he was dragged to the ground and mauled him, with other lions joined in, per Khaosod English.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After lightning delayed kickoff for an hour, Colleyville Heritage (1-1) fell behind quickly in a back-and-forth game.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In the last few years, Beyoncé, Pink, and Noah Kahan, among others, have had concerts canceled or delayed by extreme lightning, rain, or wildfire smoke.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Drue Tranquill, a linebacker, not a defensive lineman, burst through the line on a blitz for two sacks in the second half.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • So many balls burst through my hands.
    James Wallace, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • How Often To Clean Linoleum Floors For general cleaning, Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, recommends removing dust and debris in high-traffic areas daily using a dry microfiber mop.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Originating in the Tibetan Plateau, the Nujiang River snakes its way through southern China andeventually flows into Myanmar.
    Lauren Liebhaber September 2, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Lines snaked around every outside court, contrasting sharply with the ones only in use for practice, sparsely and quietly populated with players honing their skills for the bigger stages.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Stars not just in front of, but within the dusty nebula, poke through all but the densest gas.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In July 2024, Thompson's daughter Gaia shared a cheeky post on her Instagram Stories poking fun at 2023's Barbie movie's tagline — and Thompson's ex, Kenneth Branagh.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Yet Harris lingers near the top of the 2028 Democratic presidential contenders in most polling because the party lacks viable alternatives with comparable name identification.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This effortless touchpoint builds trust, catches lingering issues and creates loyal advocates who feel truly valued.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crawl. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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