1
as in encroached
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
Relevance
2
as in lingered
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
4
as in dragged
to move slowly
the class hour seems to creep by
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crept
Every scene that would otherwise communicate pandemonium is rendered in the language of sub-Ryan Murphy slop, as if a movie whose production costs reportedly crept toward $200 million could only afford a few extras at a time.
—
Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
Since then, the Phillies have gone 3-15, and the Giants have crept back into the land of the living.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Measles crept into Utah and Arizona in June, with reports trickling into local health departments of patients coming to doctors and saying their children had just recovered from full-body rashes, and parents telling pediatricians that their whole family had just recovered from measles.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
This move would likely mean Denver moves on from Evan Engram; quietly, the organization explored alternatives at tight end through free agency, but the price crept too high.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
But the chain, which does not franchise in the traditional sense, has crept into Idaho and Colorado.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2026
In the days leading up to leaving, doubt crept in.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Perennials may need to be divided, the soil could use a boost, a few weeds may have crept in, or that nearby tree had a huge growth spurt, changing the sun/shade levels for plants.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
Even so, a little magic has crept into the proceedings, with some brands concealing their cleverness in plain sight and others putting more of the horological art on display.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
Since then, the Phillies have gone 3-15, and the Giants have crept back into the land of the living.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Measles crept into Utah and Arizona in June, with reports trickling into local health departments of patients coming to doctors and saying their children had just recovered from full-body rashes, and parents telling pediatricians that their whole family had just recovered from measles.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
This move would likely mean Denver moves on from Evan Engram; quietly, the organization explored alternatives at tight end through free agency, but the price crept too high.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
But the chain, which does not franchise in the traditional sense, has crept into Idaho and Colorado.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2026
In the days leading up to leaving, doubt crept in.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Perennials may need to be divided, the soil could use a boost, a few weeds may have crept in, or that nearby tree had a huge growth spurt, changing the sun/shade levels for plants.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
Even so, a little magic has crept into the proceedings, with some brands concealing their cleverness in plain sight and others putting more of the horological art on display.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crept
Verb
-
On their endless search for nutrients, hyphae encroached into empty spaces.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
-
But ever since, the family has alleged individuals have encroached on their beach, forcing them to put up no trespassing signs and hire private security, according to a supplemental complaint filed by Brian against the Walton County Sheriff’s Office last year.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Their first meeting in 2015, a tactical Mayweather victory in one of the most lucrative bouts in boxing history, has lingered as a stubborn footnote in Pacquiao’s otherwise untouchable résumé.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The sauce, poured tableside, gave a spicy kick to the dish, and the heat of the serranos lingered on the palate.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The attendant and one of the passengers worked together at prying open the baggage compartment door while the other passenger crawled around the floor, searching in the thick smoke for a cellphone to try to use as a flashlight, according to the statement transcripts.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
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Two roaches crawled on a rice bin.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Baselitz was charged with offending public morality; the case dragged on for two years before being dismissed, but his reputation was cemented.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 May 2026
-
But whether this person galumphed, ambled, or dragged herself up the trail is a matter of what subtleties her movement suggested to you.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Verb
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In California, the Los Angeles County Counsel is probing allegations that State Farm delayed, underpaid and denied valid insurance claims from last year's wildfires.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Altman was buried after a private funeral on March 31, after a public service was delayed when his widow went into labor with their daughter.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Once outside, Nataliia slid into the back of an ambulance and was rushed to the nearest burn center.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
His 1-1 draw at Manchester City and 2-1 defeat away to Fulham four days later meant Chelsea slid from fifth to eighth in the Premier League table, two points outside the five Champions League places with almost half of their campaign still to play.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The midseason trade felt relatively marginal compared to league-wide blockbusters that shuffled James Harden, Darius Garland and Anthony Davis.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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Growing up in a military family, Vogel shuffled between the East Coast and Europe every two to three years.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On Thursday, before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Kimmel poked fun at the event on his late night show, sharing faux remarks for his own dinner.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Crept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crept. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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