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
Despite the slow creep of automation, many fields still require the human touch. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 18 May 2025 But between inflated ad tech layers, the persistent creep of made-for-advertising (MFA) sites and brand safety issues, and a growing ecosystem of fraudulent traffic, staying on course isn’t always straightforward. Jeff Kaplan, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
Within weeks, the pain crept into my shoulder blade and neck, persistent and disruptive—especially at night. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 But much like their previous two matchups, inconsistency quickly crept in for the Sparks (1-3). Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for creep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creep
Noun
  • As part of Gabriel’s solution to showing Ansari’s character that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the Hollywood, the well-meaning angel body-swaps him with an uber-rich jerk, played by Seth Rogen.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
  • The left horse just wanted to shamble along, while the right horse pulled with frantic jerks.
    Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Cities vehemently opposed the bill, saying the changes would encroach on their ability to deal with crimes specific to their areas.
    Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
  • Mining activity—specifically gold mining and exploration of other minerals—encroached on nearby land in the Yellowstone River watershed.
    Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • At least three lawsuits have been filed against the company for delaying the features and circulating misleading iPhone 16 ads regarding Apple Intelligence.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 26 May 2025
  • Kristi Durbin, immunization and travel division manager at El Paso County Public Health, said parents delayed routine health care during the pandemic.
    Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • The Zenbook crawled to the finish line in every test.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
  • The men allegedly crawled out of the hole to a loading dock, scaled an exterior concrete wall of the jail complex and darted across a freeway to freedom.
    Kati Weis, CBS News, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Further afield is the prospect of an India-EU FTA, although that process has dragged on for a decade.
    Vasuki Shastry, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • That dragged its stock down even though the company also reported a better profit for the latest quarter than expected.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • This dust could collide with any lingering smoke in the South this week, potentially causing unhealthy air quality and a hazy, duller sky during the day, bracketed by colorful sunrises and sunsets.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
  • That’s because there will be periods of heavy rain and a mass of lingering unstable and humid air swirling about South Florida.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • The time-lapse video shows a plasmoid snaking across the sun at almost 62 miles (100 kilometers) per second.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 29 May 2025
  • It’s carved from a snaking mulberry branch and adorned with microchips, with a C.P.U. fan and a small desk clock embedded in the smoothly polished wood near its head.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Within seconds, Phaedra poked fun at newbies Brit Eady, Angela Oakley, and Kelli Ferrell.
    Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 25 May 2025
  • These two words have become an international meme, poking fun at Trump, especially since Putin ignored him.
    Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Creep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creep. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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