creep
verb (used without object)
to move slowly with the body close to the ground, as a reptile or an insect, or a person on hands and knees.
have been creeping
-
present perfect progressiveof creep.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
His homeowners association fees have been creeping up to nearly $470 per month, and that’s on top of expenses stemming from special assessments he’s had to cough up.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
Average mortgage rates have been creeping back up toward 7%, while the budget deficit has hovered near 6% of the country’s GDP—well above Bessent’s longer-term 3% target.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
However, since early July oil prices have been "creeping upwards until the middle of the month then stagnating".
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
To the contrary, balance-sheet assets have been creeping up a bit.
From Barron's ● Jan. 9, 2026
Nehemia and her creature must have been creeping around down here, just floors below everyone else.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
