creep 1 of 2

creep

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to encroach
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
3
as in to crawl
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

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 creep
Noun
Tired of seeing Hugh Grant plays villains and creeps? Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024 Otherwise, scope creep happens and your freedom disappears. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
Photo-Illustration: Wired Staff; Sun Shijie/Getty Images This week, some auto industry observers felt a creeping sense of déjà vu. Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 30 Jan. 2025 Although Ariel is followed around at all times and experiences several creepy encounters with Alfred, any traces of creeping dread are snuffed out by the monotony of the film’s drab visuals. Chase Hutchinson, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for creep 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creep
Noun
  • Diagnosed first with Jeavons syndrome in 2018/19—a rare form of epilepsy characterized by absence seizures and eyelid jerks—a 1,000-gene epilepsy panel in 2020 revealed further health problems.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
  • My job was to go over there and not be a jerk and try to advance the stand-up ball a couple of yards for the next guy that comes over there.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Nissan crossed the left travel lane in front of the black sedan, then encroached into the center lane, occupied by the Hyundai, causing the collision, the warrant affidavit said.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Flames encroached on the trees where butterflies roosted and, while the tree grove remains standing but singed, the status of butterflies is unclear.
    Anton Sorokin, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The opening of the jail had been delayed, the red carpet stored away, the prisoners' transfers into this facility put on hold.
    Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Additionally, decisions on pending petitions to expand coverage to autoimmune and cardiac conditions will be delayed and there will be fewer people to intervene when there are problems with prescriptions and treatment, according to Chevat.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The victim suffered serious injuries but managed to crawl out of the woods and get help from a passerby, according to court records.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2025
  • If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
    Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • When users click and drag their cursor across the screen, random clusters of letters appear, followed by sentences that flash briefly before disappearing.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Swansea City have sacked head coach Luke Williams following a poor run of results since the turn of the year that has dragged the Championship club into a relegation battle.
    Stuart James, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • There are lingering memories of past layoffs: more than 1,000 jobs in Huntsville were lost when Constellation, a program to return astronauts to the moon, was shut down in 2010.
    Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
  • That reactor is now enveloped by a protective shelter to contain the lingering radiation.
    Max Hunder and Anastasiia Malenko, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Long-range attacks have been a feature of the nearly three-year war, where on the front line snaking about 600 miles from northeast to southern Ukraine, the armies have been engaged in a war of attrition.
    Hanna Arhirova and Yehor Konovalov, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Broadley’s African house snakes live in a variety of habitats, including woodlands and grasslands, from elevations of about 2,400 to 9,800 feet, the study said.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Doctor Who star poked fun at Trump during his remarks, earning loud applause from an audience packed with Hollywood stars.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025
  • First, Murray poked fun at how there has only been one Black anchor of the segment: Michael Che, who has had the role alongside Jost since 2014.
    William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near creep

Cite this Entry

“Creep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creep. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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