crablike
Moving like crustaceans
Crablike describes movement or appearance resembling a crab—especially the sideways scuttle crabs use to move along beaches and ocean floors.
Someone moving crablike edges sideways rather than forward: He moved crablike along the narrow ledge.
The word can also suggest the pinching claws or hunched posture of a crab.
Evade by moving aside
- scuttleSink intentionally; hurried shuffle
- sidewaysToward one side
- scurryHurried small-stepped motion
- skitterMove light and fast
creep · crawl · shuffle · edge · inch · lateral · scramble · dart
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- pincersGripping tool or claws
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
segmented · jointed · eyestalks · gills · thorax · mandibles · chitinous · hardshell
Gripping tool or claws
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
- graspingGreedy for wealth
- nippingBiting lightly, sharply
- clampingFixing firmly with pressure
clutching · tenacious · viselike · grip · snapping · holding · latching
sidestep
Evade by moving aside
skitter · creep · crawl · shuffle · edge · inch · lateral · scramble · dart · sidle
carapace
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- pincersGripping tool or claws
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
antennae · segmented · jointed · eyestalks · gills · thorax · mandibles · chitinous · hardshell · legs
pincers
Gripping tool or claws
clamping · clutching · tenacious · viselike · grip · snapping · holding · latching
ungainly
Lacking ease of movement
shuffling · lurching · ungraceful · angular · jerky · scuttling
guarded
Wary and restrained
shielded · protective · withdrawn · retreating · burrowing · vigilant · evasive