Synonyms for

Crawl

Verb / krɔ:l / Another word for crawl — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to move forward on hands and knees or with the body close to the ground

Synonyms & similar words

grovel creep australiancrawl frontcrawl creeping cringe cower crawling fawn creep slither slink scuttle shuffle wriggle squirm scurry clamber climb trudge toddle amble

Synonyms by register

Formal

advance slowly progress gradually move laboriously

Informal

scoot wiggle inch along shlep

Literary

creep slither worm

Antonyms

run sprint gallop dash leap bound scramble

Common collocations

  • crawl space
  • crawl out of bed
  • crawl on hands and knees
  • crawl back
  • crawl into bed
  • crawl through
  • crawl along

Word family

noun crawl
verb crawl
adjective crawly

Usage note

Primarily used to describe slow movement, often on hands and knees. Can also refer to slow progress in business or technology.

Example sentences

  1. The baby is learning to crawl.
  2. The caterpillar will eventually crawl into a cocoon.
  3. The soldier had to crawl under the fence to get into the enemy's camp.
  4. The snail crawls slowly across the sidewalk.
  5. The spider crawls up the wall.

Quotes

  • 'I crawl home to my bed, feeling as if I have been hit by a bus.' - Emily St. John Mandel
  • 'You have to crawl before you can walk.' - Unknown
  • 'I have to crawl under the table and pretend I'm a caterpillar.' - Unknown

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