CRAWLED Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

crawled

verb

past tense of crawl

as in crept

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

as in dragged

to move slowly the weekend traffic on the road to the beach just crawled

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lingered

to move or act slowly the deadline is fast approaching, so this is no time to crawl

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in buzzed

to be copiously supplied something must be up, as city hall is crawling with reporters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 crawled One roach crawled on glassware in the dishwashing area and eight were under the dishwasher. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 The mural is as if the octopus crawled out of the large vase filled with water and flowers and is helping to feed the birds. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Seconds later, the huge bear crawled through the broken window and made its escape. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 To compile as comprehensive a list as possible, Szydlowski crawled Instagram and Reddit for photos of people wearing different types of smart glasses. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026 As the whole team fought for their lives, Yerman, one of the only Marines with relatively minor wounds, crawled over to Capers. — Ethan Rocke, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026 Additionally, the platforms are designed to be crawled by the world's largest search engines right out of the box. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 16 Aug. 2026 And imagine the bear, cornered in an unfamiliar lair, seeing the light of the only exit blocked by this larger attacker that did not howl or bark, but crawled silently toward him through the addled dogs. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 Primus crawled from the same California soup that gave birth to a host of funk-metal acts in the 1980s, following Fishbone, Faith No More, and, most infamously, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crawled

Verb

Tech has crept into every facet of everyday life, like an invisible fog of ones and zeros.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
The height of this strategy shift was the Sneak Attack by Roger (SABR), in which Federer crept forward to return opponent’s serves almost on the half volley, shortening points and taking away time from his opponent.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of crept

Verb

The winter chill that dragged digital assets down during most of the hot summer months is finally beginning to lift, with the price of Bitcoin surging about 20 percent last week, its strongest three-day rally since 2023.

— Peter Mintzberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
In 2024, Burke’s squad dragged itself off the mat after an awful (yet at the time, typical) start to the season to go unbeaten in 12 of 13 matches down the stretch and narrowly miss the playoffs.

— Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of dragged

Verb

Tagovailoa on return, boos Falcons and former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was greeted with boos during Friday’s preseason game, lingered on the field afterward to embrace several former teammates and Dolphins staffers.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Young wound up going 8–5 as a starter and won Offensive Rookie of the Year, but tensions lingered.

— Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of lingered

Verb

Finally, the next season, Karlsson was shuffled frequently between Abbotsford and Vancouver and resided at the fringes of the NHL lineup.

— Thomas Drance, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Venegas scrolled through his phone while Penna shuffled past us to grab a drink from the office fridge.

— Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffled

Verb

The Fire Department rescued numerous residents who had become trapped by the flames, which were seen bursting from the building, KCTV5 reported at the time.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
The illusion of a beautiful, war-free Dresden, however, would soon burst for these men, going as flat as the champagne bubbles after the wedding of Billy Pilgrim’s daughter.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of burst

Browse Nearby Words

crawl

crawled

crawler

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“Crawled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crawled. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of crawled

verb

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