mission creep

noun

: the gradual broadening of the original objectives of a mission or organization

Examples of mission creep in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Goal clarity is the best way to stop mission creep. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Nonprofit leaders should always keep their mission, values and SMART goals in mind as expansion projects arise to avoid mission creep. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Quasi-governmental and thinly capitalized housing finance titans engaging in mission creep to make ever-more risky forays into products and services both in and out of explicit congressional approval rarely ends well. Roger Valdez, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024 For those involved in Strictly’s creation, the misconduct scandal is symbolic of mission creep from the show’s original vision. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 20 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for mission creep 

Word History

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mission creep was in 1991

Dictionary Entries Near mission creep

Cite this Entry

“Mission creep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mission%20creep. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!