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
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 creeping
Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 June 2026
Yes, the guys, especially the dentist (ick) and the icky bride-shopping commanders are creeping and disturbing.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Signing Tuch also pushes the Red Wings’ chips all-in on the next two or three seasons, with Larkin and Tuch creeping toward the ends of their respective primes.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Apathy is creeping in, which is more dangerous than outrage, with many opting to wait for streaming.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 May 2026
Taylor Clemons’ cinematography is excellent, all slow creeping shots and shadows permeating even the daytime scenes.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
There’s also a creeping fear of missing out as would-be buyers look ahead to the initial public offerings of OpenAI and Anthropic PBC, which are expected to unlock billions of dollars of wealth for employees and investors.
—Conor Sen, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
The pressure in the bond market — which is driving some yields to multi-decade highs — is creeping into equity trading, with back-to-back losses for major global indices.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Smart headlights have been creeping toward this future for the better part of a decade.
—New Atlas, 15 May 2026
Adjective
The warmth of the film—shot on location in Positano, Italy—only adds to its creeping, sexy menace.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Chartreuse creeping Jenny adds even more contrast.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 June 2026
Yes, the guys, especially the dentist (ick) and the icky bride-shopping commanders are creeping and disturbing.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Signing Tuch also pushes the Red Wings’ chips all-in on the next two or three seasons, with Larkin and Tuch creeping toward the ends of their respective primes.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Apathy is creeping in, which is more dangerous than outrage, with many opting to wait for streaming.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 May 2026
Taylor Clemons’ cinematography is excellent, all slow creeping shots and shadows permeating even the daytime scenes.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
There’s also a creeping fear of missing out as would-be buyers look ahead to the initial public offerings of OpenAI and Anthropic PBC, which are expected to unlock billions of dollars of wealth for employees and investors.
—Conor Sen, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
The pressure in the bond market — which is driving some yields to multi-decade highs — is creeping into equity trading, with back-to-back losses for major global indices.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Smart headlights have been creeping toward this future for the better part of a decade.
—New Atlas, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeping
Adjective
-
The long days of summer feel designed for leisurely train travel, journeys that unfold at an unhurried pace and encourage travelers to settle in and enjoy the passing scenery.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2026
-
For dads who enjoy leisurely rides, local exploration, and timeless design, the Ranger delivers a combination of style and range that is difficult to find at its price point.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Immersive experiences like Meow Wolf, Activate Games, or the Sphere in Las Vegas are also encroaching, offering visitors something truly novel (no offense to funnel cakes).—
HubSpot,
HubSpot,
1 June 2026
-
Jurado noted that tongues of salt water are already encroaching into some of the freshwater areas of South Florida.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
But behind the courteous gesture, there are lingering concerns of how overtourism might impact Ishigaki’s rich natural environment and potentially overwhelm its infrastructure, concerns that extend to other neighboring remote islands.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
Many guests and patrons are regulars, lingering over martinis as a fireplace crackles in the background.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The Thursday night group was seen leaving about three hours afterward, according to the NYPD, while the second odd circumstance ended after individuals were seen crawling out and leaving in a vehicle more than two and a half hours after.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
Toddlers and babies spend their days at floor level, crawling through dust, putting hands and objects in their mouths, and breathing air closer to the ground than anyone else.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead of running quietly in the background, sleep evangelists are shouting about its importance from the rooftops, and neuroscientists are dragging it out into the light of day on TED Talk stages for further dissection.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Nasdaq shares tumbled more than 5% in the session, dragging the stock into the red week to date.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Recovery of the bodies has been slow because of the chemicals and other hazards present at the site, Amos explained.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
One of the most painful things about this disease is knowing that promising treatments are emerging, but funding barriers and manufacturing and procedural slow-downs continue to derail progress.—
Elise Esposito,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Hilton proposes to reform the California Environmental Quality Act so that only government prosecutors can sue, preventing private individuals and organizations from stopping or delaying new housing projects.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Nearly 40% of calls handled by Sacramento’s emergency medical services system were non-emergencies, tying up ambulances and paramedics, delaying urgent medical responses and adding nearly $5 million in costs to the city, according to a city audit.—
Reeti Malhotra
May 29,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The main event, though, is the ski room—where ski butlers furnish guests with state-of-the-art skis before sliding them onto the slicked Jardin Alpin piste with or without an instructor.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Kleven had been an accomplished ski jumper in his home country, and when he was spotted sliding down and flying off ramps in Sugarbush, Vermont, he was recruited to be a stunt performer.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Creeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeping. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
