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
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of creeping
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
And yet a creeping sense of dread also suffuses the novel, as a vision of people in chains, first revealed in a mysterious nightmare-inducing sculpture, eats away at everything.
—Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Dec. 2022
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
As the film moves to the seventh day, a creeping sense of catastrophe settles.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 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
Janet B. Carson, arkansasonline.com, 9 Dec. 2024
All of which would probably block any other incoming administration’s pick for a receptionist—let alone a Secretary of Defense—from creeping forward.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Dec. 2024
Defenders now have to respect his pull-up game, creeping closer to contest.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Consequently, geomagnetic storms in Earth’s magnetic field are becoming more common, and displays of the Northern Lights are creeping ever more southerly.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
That is the edge the Canadiens need from Dach, something that was sorely lacking over his first 15 or so games but is slowly creeping back into his game.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024
In our view, these films convey a vital message about Earth’s creeping environmental catastrophe.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Unforgettable images include fog creeping across the screen, enveloping the trees, and sightings of other beasts, like elephants.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Oct. 2024
October is well over halfway over, and the first signs of winter are already creeping into what has been a lovely fall.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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
And yet a creeping sense of dread also suffuses the novel, as a vision of people in chains, first revealed in a mysterious nightmare-inducing sculpture, eats away at everything.
—Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Dec. 2022
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
As the film moves to the seventh day, a creeping sense of catastrophe settles.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 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
The prostrate or creeping forms are less winter hardy but only grow 8-10 inches tall but cascade along the ground.
—Janet B. Carson, arkansasonline.com, 9 Dec. 2024
All of which would probably block any other incoming administration’s pick for a receptionist—let alone a Secretary of Defense—from creeping forward.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Dec. 2024
Defenders now have to respect his pull-up game, creeping closer to contest.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Consequently, geomagnetic storms in Earth’s magnetic field are becoming more common, and displays of the Northern Lights are creeping ever more southerly.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
That is the edge the Canadiens need from Dach, something that was sorely lacking over his first 15 or so games but is slowly creeping back into his game.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024
In our view, these films convey a vital message about Earth’s creeping environmental catastrophe.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Unforgettable images include fog creeping across the screen, enveloping the trees, and sightings of other beasts, like elephants.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Oct. 2024
October is well over halfway over, and the first signs of winter are already creeping into what has been a lovely fall.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeping
Adjective
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The film eschews traditional dramatic structures, unfolding episodically at a leisurely pace while Karoline struggles to keep her life from completely derailing.Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024
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Wild at Tart, is the place for a leisurely lunch with a variety of sharing plates focussed on a sustainable and seasonal approach.Michele Robson, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The medium-length and smooth finish leaves a lingering impression of vanilla, caramel, and oak.Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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The lingering autumn-like warmth not only offers pleasant days for outdoor activities but could also provide some financial relief for local households after the electric bill price hikes that usually happen during the scorching summer months in the city.Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Wine and conversation flow on a slow tour of the natural vineyards in Spain’s Castilla y León.Megan Lloyd, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
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No one knows for sure why the rally happens but some experts attribute it to such seasonal things as holiday shopping and investors wrapping up their books before the end of the year, ahead of a slower January.Benzinga, Detroit Free Press, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In addition, both received the Order of the British Empire in different years (2003 and 2017, respectively), and some tabloid media are shuffling the possibility of their knighthood.Nuria Luis, Glamour, 4 Dec. 2024
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James has been shuffling between the Lakers and the G League as Los Angeles tries to work out a plan to give him time for development.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2024
Verb
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No leader wants to be like the movie Office Space, famous for poking fun at the flaws of the 1990s workplace cube farms and non-welcoming vibes.Julie Kratz, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Take Kule’s for example—the red stripes would look so chic poking out from beneath a tonal knit or ladylike jacket.Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The border wall stretched out like a snake slithering up and down hills to the horizon.Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
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But a snake slithering across the top step of the dugout when your team is trailing by six runs in the fifth inning of a National League Championship Series game?Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near creeping
Cite this Entry
“Creeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeping. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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