crawl 1 of 2

verb

ˈkrȯl How to pronounce crawl (audio)
Definition of crawlnext
1
as in to creep
to move slowly with the body close to the ground the time we had to crawl through a narrow passageway from one cave to another

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to drag
to move slowly the weekend traffic on the road to the beach just crawled

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to delay
to move or act slowly the deadline is fast approaching, so this is no time to crawl

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to burst
to be copiously supplied something must be up, as city hall is crawling with reporters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crawl

2 of 2

noun

as in delay

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crawl
Verb
The match crawled for the first six holes, with no points scored by either team more than halfway through the broadcast. — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 When the relatives begin to arrive, crawling in on their knees, droning a dirge about death, Shula promptly departs for a hotel, pink suitcase in tow. — Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
The attacks, which came in escalating waves and darkened the skies from burning buildings, brought the capital to a crawl as people poured into the streets desperately seeking refuge. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025 Defenses caught on to Arthur Smith’s initially effective plan and slowed Wilson’s offense down to a crawl. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crawl
  1. creep
  2. drag
  3. delay
  4. burst
  5. traffic
  6. snake
  7. poke
  8. linger
Verb
  • Charges of price gouging—originally levelled at industrial farmers—were creeping into the sandwich space.
    — H. C. Wilentz, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Conclusion Just as the zenith of economic and earnings optimism in early 2025 gave way to creeping concerns about the durability of growth under pressure from possible tariff increases, maximum pessimism will eventually give way to a better reality.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of creep
Verb
  • The average is dragged lower by the three most recent economic contractions, which were all atypical.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Watkins combines that with intelligent runs in behind, dragging defenders with him.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of drag
Verb
  • Arkansas established a school scoring record for a three-game series, averaging 17 runs in the seven-inning games — the first via run rule on Saturday, the next two on Sunday shortened after weather delayed the series — against the Tigers, who averaged three runs per game.
    — Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 8 Apr. 2025
  • China’s chief antitrust regulator is currently reviewing the BlackRock-Hutchison deal, effectively delaying the transaction before it was expected to be signed on April 2.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of delay
Verb
  • Since bursting onto the scene as a freshman, Janiah has carried a heavy load for Seminole Ridge, showcasing not only her scoring ability but also her all-around impact on the game.
    — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Today’s styles run the gamut from nostalgic hearts and classic knots to bursting stars and beachy swirls.
    — Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of burst
Noun
  • These tools can detect unusual patterns, analyze network traffic and mitigate potential risks.
    — FNU Anupama, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Ultimately, the woman died as a result of a road traffic collision.
    — David Chiu, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of traffic
Verb
  • Developed over two years, the Serpenti Aeterna watch snaking around the wrist features a clasp closure mechanism and signature hexagonal scales etched in the inner contour.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • At the antiques shop, overflowing with bronze sculptures and ornate lamps, a train snakes through to dispense tea.
    — Rachel Sherman, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Definition of snake
Verb
  • Carrick’s penalty proved costly, as neither Trocheck nor Braden Schneider could muscle Point away from poking a puck past Shesterkin’s pad.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Hector had been poking fun at Lisa’s special interest: Taylor Swift.
    — Colson Thayer, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of poke
Verb
  • After her mother's stroke, Keys said self-care meant taking her blood pressure medication, drinking water and lingering for a moment at the mailbox to take in the sunshine and feel the wind on her face.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The whale lingers for a moment, and the video ends.
    — Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of linger

Phrases Containing crawl

Browse Nearby Words

craving
crawl
crawled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crawl. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on crawl

Nglish: Translation of crawl for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crawl

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All