crept

past tense of creep
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

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2
3
as in crawled
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 crept Monday’s win was perhaps a start to the Wild playing more like themselves, but Gustavsson did feel some recent bad habits crept into their game. Michael Russo, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024 Those words came from a question asking Campbell what his message to the team was, amid a week when doubt crept in. Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024 And despite the warning signs, tunnel vision crept in. Matthew Beddingfield and George Leopold, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024 AccuWeather said most of the region saw any wintry precipitation flip to intermittent rain as temperatures crept higher during the day Monday. Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024 The majority of the region saw any wintry precipitation flip to intermittent rain as temperatures crept higher during the day Monday, AccuWeather says. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024 The problem was that the game itself only just crept past two days. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024 There, the smell of smoke had crept inside. Corina Knoll, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024 Jordan Neely’s father lifted his head and sat upright in his seat; an almost-smile crept across his face. Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crept
Verb
  • Forecasters said Sunday that flooding could persist as torrential rains lingered over many states, including Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Still, doubts lingered—particularly over her ability to manage what is arguably one of the world's most complex bilateral relationships.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Analysts at Mizuho shuffled up its top picks in a note Monday.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Stop Scripting Development Employees need to grow into opportunities, not be shuffled into roles.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The clip poked fun at photos from the couple's recent cover shoot for Interview magazine.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The muzzle of a hunting rifle poked out from the back seat, and a water bottle on the front console was filled with the brown swill of chewing tobacco.
    Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crept. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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