crawl 1 of 2

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

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2
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4
as in to burst
to be copiously supplied something must be up, as city hall is crawling with reporters

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crawl

2 of 2

noun

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
Colin the Janitor crawling down a hallway with his black tongue wagging at a cowering woman, and the true image of hell incarnate, Pyramid Head, literally ripping the skin suit off of live bodies should shake you to your core. Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
About 11,000 vehicles a day crawl north across the border -- carrying tourists, shoppers and workers, along with commerce ranging from Ford Broncos to tons of tomatoes. Mary Beth Sheridan The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025 Economic growth slowed to a crawl in 2023 (at 0.6%, the latest data available). Nick Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crawl
Verb
  • This creeping groundcover thrives in dappled shade and is a good choice for the front of a perennial border or growing between trees and shrubs in a woodland garden.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Beyond that, temperatures will creep above normal into the weekend and early next week.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Paleontologists used to wonder if some marine reptiles did the same, awkwardly dragging themselves onto beaches to lay eggs rather than birthing their young at sea like whales do.
    Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The longer the trade war drags on, the more likely Washington and Beijing will find other ways to retaliate beyond economics.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
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
  • Ron Johnson supported it despite advocating that the House now delay its adoption.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
  • Nai Lert Park is a lush, seven-acre pocket of tropical landscaping in the heart of downtown, making the hotel feel like an urban sanctuary in the truest sense: the air smelled faintly of frangipani; the chirping of birds overpowered the traffic din.
    Chris Schaklx, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Here’s what traffic is looking like today on Kansas 10 highway between Kansas City and Lawrence.
    Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Moscow is particularly adept at what is known as hybrid warfare, a raft of tactics that can include targeting vital cables snaking along the seabed.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • On Tuesday night, 800 lucky Goose fans snaked they way through the Shed at Hudson Yards to enter a world where music and art fused in a swirling, electric dreamscape.
    Caroline Tell, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Others, of course, love the show's ability to poke fun at the cultural and political zeitgeist of the moment.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The success of Deadpool & Wolverine was a bright spot in 2024, but that movie soared to success in part by poking fun at Marvel's failings.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • And though a few dozen people left the dinner early to catch the end or start of various performances, which included Charli XCX and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, about half of the long table lingered after dessert to continue chatting with their tablemates.
    Ye Fan, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Still, memories of the show lingered in a few significant minds: both Stephen Sondheim and Fred Ebb felt its influence.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crawl. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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