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Synonyms

creeping

American  
[kree-ping] / ˈkri pɪŋ /

noun

  1. Slang. the act or practice of following someone persistently or stealthily, especially online.

    Twitter and LinkedIn creeping is a normal part of my day.

adjective

  1. advancing or developing gradually so as to infringe on or supplant something else.

    creeping inflation;

    creeping socialism.

Etymology

Origin of creeping

creep + -ing 1

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.

In a moment when AI and digital technology allows for on-demand perfection, there’s a creeping thrill to the possibility of flaws and dissonance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

The move lower also appears to be tied to broader market weakness—and creeping doubts about the U.S.-Iran cease-fire agreement.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

It isn’t the first such threat or deadline, but some hope is creeping in to markets of a potential cease-fire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

That doesn’t mean prices for consumers haven’t been creeping up.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

But always, just as he was about to fall asleep, the other, darker thoughts came creeping back and made him afraid to close his eyes.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.