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.
were creeping
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past progressiveof creep.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The case for raising rates would be clear if inflation were creeping up, the economy was steaming ahead with growth at or above trend, and unemployment was below its so-called natural rate.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
Oil prices were creeping up again on Monday, though lingering hopes that a deal can eventually be reached have tempered the gains.
From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026
BOJ chief Ueda on Monday indicated they were creeping closer to their inflation target, but it was still too soon to abandon super-easy policy altogether.
From Reuters ● Nov. 6, 2023
For a few series, it looked like some of the Seahawks’ seasonlong issues defending the run were creeping in again.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 1, 2023
Fezzik could tell that because they were creeping very close to him now and all of a sudden yelling their lungs out and making crazy faces.
From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
