as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
at this creeping pace of progress we'll never have the float ready for the parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in encroaching
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
2
as in lingering
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in crawling
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
4
as in dragging
to move slowly
the class hour seems to creep by
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of creeping
Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
As a child, she was plagued by anxiety and the creeping sense that adults, especially her mother, were keeping secrets from the kids.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2023
Then comes the creeping sense that their conversation is screwy.
—Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022
For some, once the initial shock wore off, a creeping sense of inevitability set in.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 18 July 2022
This growing entanglement of the corporate and social, this creeping sense of being tracked by invisible eyes, demands an increasing sophistication about what is said and where.
—Kara Devlin, Longreads, 20 May 2022
But beneath the know-it-all tweets, there is a creeping sense that the psychological distance between the masses of 401(k) investors and the billionaire marks may not be that far.
—New York Times, 9 Oct. 2021
Sara Sneath, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
The chill is creeping in and the flowers that once filled your summer containers may be spent, but don't put those pots away just yet.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) and was creeping westward at about 3 mph (6 kph).
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
The space features fragrant evergreen boughs, which Rucci said are supposed to give the illusion of the Northwoods creeping into the alcove.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
At this Nevada motel, your check-in comes with creeping paranoia.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Even though the regular season is creeping closer by the hour and the anticipation of it all is wafting through the city, Charles Lee insists not much has changed.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Jim Cramer continued to monitor Treasury yields, which keep creeping lower.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
So with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense creeping closer to the line of scrimmage, rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson was able to escape cleanly down the field.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The overall effect is one of decadence laced with a creeping sense of horror.
—Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
As a child, she was plagued by anxiety and the creeping sense that adults, especially her mother, were keeping secrets from the kids.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2023
Then comes the creeping sense that their conversation is screwy.
—Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022
For some, once the initial shock wore off, a creeping sense of inevitability set in.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 18 July 2022
This growing entanglement of the corporate and social, this creeping sense of being tracked by invisible eyes, demands an increasing sophistication about what is said and where.
—Kara Devlin, Longreads, 20 May 2022
But beneath the know-it-all tweets, there is a creeping sense that the psychological distance between the masses of 401(k) investors and the billionaire marks may not be that far.
—New York Times, 9 Oct. 2021
Verb
That combination of high winds and creeping progress makes Melissa both unusual and unusually dangerous.
—Sara Sneath, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
The chill is creeping in and the flowers that once filled your summer containers may be spent, but don't put those pots away just yet.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) and was creeping westward at about 3 mph (6 kph).
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
The space features fragrant evergreen boughs, which Rucci said are supposed to give the illusion of the Northwoods creeping into the alcove.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
At this Nevada motel, your check-in comes with creeping paranoia.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Even though the regular season is creeping closer by the hour and the anticipation of it all is wafting through the city, Charles Lee insists not much has changed.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Jim Cramer continued to monitor Treasury yields, which keep creeping lower.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
So with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense creeping closer to the line of scrimmage, rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson was able to escape cleanly down the field.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeping
Adjective
-
Saturdays in West End are no longer leisurely when the Commodores are playing.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
While the temporary set no longer stands, fans can still visit the farm to enjoy a leisurely hike or take in the lush green landscape.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The partnership was formed to address the invasive trees and shrubs encroaching on the natural grasslands in TNC's Folsom Point Preserve in Iowa, which is located just over 12 miles from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Ideal for the coats-and-boots season fastly encroaching.—
Miriam Schwartz,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But Gronowski’s offseason shoulder injury that cost him spring practices might be a lingering issue.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
23 Oct. 2025
-
These recordings blur the lines between memory, trauma, and supernatural experience, reflecting the lingering influence of Jonathan’s actions.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tropical Storm Melissa is crawling through the Caribbean Sea, threatening to unleash life-threatening flooding and mudslides across parts of the region later this week.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
-
These flat robots have multiple modes of movement, capable of jumping or crawling at multiple speeds.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The kitten was discovered in a parking lot tied inside a bag, dragging his back legs and covered in severe wounds.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
When daylight savings ends next week, dragging yourself out of bed will likely feel even harder.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Those taking GLP-1s showed a slower rise in breath alcohol during the first 10 to 20 minutes and lower overall levels throughout.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Researchers highlighted the current challenges for OCTOID, including slow thermal response and potential fatigue of CLCEs, and the weight of nichrome wires limiting flexibility.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Whether or not to cut back coneflowers is ultimately based on preference, but there are some advantages to delaying the process.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But SpaceX is not remotely ready to deliver, with serial failures of its mammoth Starship rocket delaying development of the lander.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Marchenko kept the heat on by stealing a page from Johnson’s book of tricks, sliding it through Silovs’ pads.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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The junior made his moment count, taking the carry all the way home before sliding in the end zone.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Creeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeping. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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