crawl 1 of 2

Definition of crawlnext
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
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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
When a Republican says something foolish, network anchors react like a gator just crawled into the studio wearing a MAGA hat. Larry Clifton, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026 The next day, steady rains caused the F1 Academy race to be cancelled and the first 20 laps of the Miami Grand Prix to be crawled behind the safety car. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
Noun
Alongside the lack of personnel, some vital functions have slowed to a crawl. Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 As the third quarter rolled along, the game slowed to a crawl, with both schools struggling to gain momentum offensively. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crawl
Verb
  • Win it, and suddenly the series tightens, the doubt creeps in and the path gets a lot more complicated for Orlando.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • For another easy-to-care-for choice that relishes sunlight, look to creeping juniper and its beautifully hazy blue-green leaves.
    Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Carboniferous period dragged on for sixty million.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
  • Perhaps the aether did exist, but it could never be construed as being in motion by an observer on the Earth, because the aether itself was being dragged by objects traveling through space, such as the Earth, explaining why a null result was obtained.
    Big Think, Big Think, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • The fight, though, kept getting delayed.
    Chang-rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
  • Plans were reportedly delayed after Kate’s cancer diagnosis in 2024, but with her now in remission and feeling better, a tour is once again on the table.
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • The site’s sale section is always bursting with steep markdowns, but this month’s assortment is beyond impressive.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
  • Many people are hoping—nay, praying—that the potential AI bubble will burst soon.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Minnesota court records show that Kazmierczak, who was convicted of felony auto theft in 1989, has been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence and has had numerous traffic citations.
    Tim Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
  • No ships transited the strait Thursday, the second day in a row that the critical waterway has had no traffic at all, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
    Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • The barely-there gown featured a nude bodice with black lace and black gems snaking along the collar, down the center, along her sleeves and onto her hands.
    Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
  • The dirt-only diamond was loamy and soft and home plate was totally submerged in a muddy puddle, a tributary of which also snaked down the third-base line.
    Chang-rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • When Andrei Vasilevskiy tried to poke the puck away, Bolduc had moved so deep into the crease area that the puck went off him and into the net for his first career playoff goal.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The host also poked fun at the Trumps’ living separately despite being married for 22 years.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While coverage is expected to be more scattered, isolated strong to severe storms could still produce hail and gusty winds, particularly where daytime heating and lingering boundaries overlap.
    Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The two men dined at a table alone, lingering long after all other diners had dispersed.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crawl. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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