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creeps 1 of 2

Definition of creepsnext
plural of creep

creeps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of creep
1
as in encroaches
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 crawls
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 creeps
Noun
The applause for blocks, leaves and singles gets louder and meatier as England’s target creeps under 100, but Jacks’ dismissal with 97 still required ends any realistic hope of the unlikeliest of away victories. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025 The days when self-blame creeps back in are less frequent now. Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025 Keep in mind also that after Mike warns Kyle that his next-door neighbor in AdSeg is one of the most perniciously manipulative creeps Mike has ever known, Kyle still seems inclined to listen to what Merle has to say. Noel Murray, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2025 Meanwhile, the impacts of the impasse continue to spread, from millions at risk of losing their government assistance and going hungry to massive air-traffic interruptions as winter creeps in just two weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025 Driving through lush, evergreen rainforest, far past the industrious city of Seattle, a rolling mist creeps in. Christina Fang, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025 Most of the time, slop is easily identifiable, but still, doubt creeps in. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025 As the younger generation moves out and development creeps into Nepal’s Mustang District, an old way of life is in danger of dying out. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025 Then, a black bear creeps in through the brush and begins tugging, pulling, and sinking its two-inch teeth into the carcass. Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Move too far away from it and the outside chill creeps in. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025 Depop determined that, as decision fatigue creeps into even the act of getting dressed, reliable replicas (think tailored trousers, sharp outerwear, crisp button-downs) will become the backbone of Gen Z wardrobes. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025 And as the player progresses, the game skillfully creeps towards horror, creating a growing sense of unease as the end of summer approaches and one of the girls shows signs of an intense, potentially deadly rage she’s kept just below the surface. Richard Newby, Time, 6 Dec. 2025 As winter weather creeps in, several road construction projects around Milwaukee are set to pause until spring. Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 17 Nov. 2025 For Dimon, bureaucracy is a reflex that creeps into any large institution and shields leaders from reality. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025 Meyers will continue being a name to watch as the deadline creeps closer. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025 The Japanese influence creeps in again with a matcha white chocolate chip cookie. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025 Employees notice the waves of shiny experiments that come and go (with no momentum), and cynicism creeps in. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeps
Noun
  • Instead, the Engel-Jackson family is more run-of-the-mill awful — a recognizable pack of self-serving jerks more focused on the appearance of cheer than any real kindness.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Dec. 2025
  • That rich people sure can be easily manipulable jerks?
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Cloud Dancer, a white that is both warm and cool, reflects an overwhelmed feeling among consumers as the world feels louder and technology, in particular AI, encroaches further into our lives.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
  • As the third weekend of November encroaches upon us, so does the holiday season — and streaming networks are picking up the cheer in full swing.
    Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Today the sprawling complex is a museum and visitor attraction, where a sense of unease lurks along paved tourist trails and lingers in dark corridors.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Early next week, a brief warmup returns highs to the 30s before cooler air likely lingers deeper into mid-January.
    Joseph Dames, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Since the holidays, many of us have spent winter days cooped up inside, shuttling between work, school and home while the calendar crawls toward spring.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
  • In Elf, while Santa (the late Ed Asner) is setting out toys at an orphanage on Christmas Eve, Buddy (Will Ferrell) crawls into his sack.
    Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Iwobi’s movement drags Ladislav Krejci wider, increasing the space between the lines and creating a clear passing angle for Calvin Bassey.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • This not-quite-title song, which is nearly eight minutes long, is a sort of mini-suite, opening with a dog barking, giving way to an acoustic-guitar melody accompanying polyphonic vocals, then becoming electric and crashingly alive, until the relentless screech of a guitar drags you to the end.
    Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Is every head that pokes in to look at me actually Frank himself?
    Shane Kowalski, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
  • The Aries moon pokes holes in old insecurities about competence and productivity.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 28 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Englewood is home to Cedar Point Environmental Park along Lemon Bay, where pine flatwoods cover most of the park, and Oyster Creek Regional Park, where a boardwalk snakes through tidal mangroves, allowing visitors to enjoy bird-watching.
    Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2025
  • Two incumbents — west Charlotte’s Thelma Byers-Bailey and Summer Nunn, whose district snakes along the county’s southern border — chose not to run for reelection to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education.
    Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • That is not unique — Major League Baseball’s offseason shuffles along at a deliberate pace, just as the Dodgers historically have liked.
    Katie Woo, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • In front of me, as various motors rev up to speed, the robot shuffles in place, looking like an arthritic boxer readying for a fight.
    James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Creeps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeps. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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