creep
16 synonyms and 1 antonym for creep, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To move slowly, quietly, or close to the ground.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To move slowly, quietly, or close to the ground.
“The cat crept slowly towards the bird, keeping low to the ground.”
Opposites
How to use creep
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
creep up on
give someone the creeps
prices creep up
The noun sense meaning "unsettling person" is informal.
Etymology
From Old English creopan, "to crawl", from a prehistoric Germanic root meaning "to twist" — related to "crawl" and "cripple".
Full origin of creep →Frequently asked questions
What does “creep” mean?
The word “creep” means to move slowly, quietly, or close to the ground. In plain terms, moving slowly and quietly, or (as a noun, informally) a person who makes others uncomfortable.
How do you pronounce “creep”?
“Creep” is pronounced kreep (/kɹiːp/ in IPA).
How do you use “creep” in a sentence?
Here is “creep” used in a sentence: “Costs have been creeping up all year.”
What part of speech is “creep”?
Depending on how it is used, “creep” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “creep” come from?
The word “creep” comes from Old English. From Old English creopan, "to crawl", from a prehistoric Germanic root meaning "to twist" — related to "crawl" and "cripple".
Is “creep” a common word?
“Creep” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “creep” have?
“Creep” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move slowly, quietly, or close to the ground.
