creeping

[ kree-ping ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of creeping¹

creep + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

A dead moray eel washed ashore near Laguna Niguel over the weekend, creeping out beachgoers.

From Los Angeles Times

Television footage showed a bomb-defusing robot creeping up to the bag and poking it until it popped with a bright flash.

From Los Angeles Times

And there it was, the creeping inevitability that became a torrent.

From Salon

Notably, the rise in executive powers has coincided with a creeping distrust of government in this country.

From Salon

The shows were then broadcast live, with producers creeping in and scribbling alterations on scripts, moments before she read them.

From BBC

Related Words

• climbing
• spreading