to creep
Third Person
creeps
Present Participle
creeping
Past Tense
crept
Past Participle
crept
1
to move slowly and quietly while staying close to the ground or other surface
- The spider, with delicate precision, began to creep across the ceiling.
- In the garden, the inchworm started to creep along the stem of the flower.
- The mountaineer carefully began to creep down the steep slope.
- In the dark cave, the explorer had to creep through narrow passages.
- The caterpillar, in its early stage of transformation, would creep along the leaf before transforming into a butterfly.
Synonyms:
2
to move slowly and quietly, especially in order to avoid being noticed or to approach someone unnoticed
- The cat crept through the tall grass, stalking its prey.
- As the detective observed the suspect's hideout, he saw a shadowy figure creep along the alley.
- In the moonlit night, the spy crept along the perimeter of the enemy camp.
- Fearing they would disturb the nesting birds, the birdwatchers decided to creep quietly through the forest to observe them.
3
to grow slowly along the ground or another surface, typically by extending stems or branches
- The ivy began to creep along the garden wall, creating a lush green covering.
- The vines of the pumpkin plant started to creep across the garden.
- The strawberry plants were carefully arranged to creep along the edges of the raised bed.
- As the wildflowers thrived in the meadow, they started to creep along the edges.
4
to act or behave in a servile manner, often characterized by exaggerated humility
- The employee would always creep to the boss, offering constant compliments and nodding excessively to gain favor.
- The actor, eager to impress the director, would creep on set.
- Wanting to be in the teacher's good graces, the student would creep by staying late after class.
- Aware of the supervisor's preferences, the team member decided to creep by consistently endorsing their ideas.
- The aspiring artist, desperate for recognition, would creep to influential gallery owners
5
(of something) to slowly and steadily spread or move, often in a way that is hard to notice at first
- The fog crept across the valley at dawn.
- The influence of new technology crept into every part of the business.
- Time seemed to creep during the long meeting.
- Doubt began to creep into her mind during the meeting.
- The temperature crept higher throughout the afternoon.