crept

[krept] / krɛpt /

VERB

crawl along, usually on ground

Synonyms

STRONGEST

glide inch lurk slink slither snake sneak tiptoe wriggle

STRONG

edge grovel gumshoe insinuate pussyfoot scrabble scramble skulk squirm steal worm writhe

WEAK

approach unnoticed crawl on all fours

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Healthcare unemployment has crept up since touching an all-time low in 2022.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Slovakia were back in front when Lukas Haraslin's free-kick crept in, but Fisnik Asllani pegged them back at 2-2.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The energy shock comes as the US labor market appears to be in a difficult spot, shedding 92,000 jobs in February while unemployment crept up.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

In part due to the tariffs, inflation had crept up during 2025 and into this year.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

The strangeness crept into my dream that night.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff