seeped
Trickled through cracks
Seeped is the past tense of seep, meaning to ooze or pass slowly through small openings.
Liquids seep through porous materials: Water seeped through the basement walls.
The word extends to gradual, subtle spread: Doubt seeped into her mind, The news seeped out despite their efforts to contain it.
Flowed out slowly
- trickledFlowed in drops
- drippedFell in drops
- leakedEscaped through opening
- percolatedSeeped through porous material
filtered · drained · bled · exuded · weeped · effused · discharged · emitted
Thoroughly wet throughout
- saturatedThoroughly soaked through
- permeatedSpread thoroughly through
- penetratedPassed into or through
- infusedSaturated with flavor
steeped · imbibed · absorbed · suffused · imbued · pervaded · diffused · spread
Moved slowly, furtively
- insinuatedIndirectly suggested something
- pervadedSpread completely through
- suffusedSpread throughout completely
- spreadTo distribute widely
entered · invaded · overtook · settled · enveloped · consumed · filled · permeated
At reduced speed
- graduallyIn slow stages
- imperceptiblyBelow detection threshold
- steadilyIn constant, unwavering fashion
- insidiouslyHarmfully but subtly
incrementally · bit by bit · over time · progressively · creeping · subtly
Groundwater-bearing geological formation
- soilGround matter for planting
- earthSoil or electrical grounding
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
- bedrockSolid stone underground
sediment · clay · sand · substrate · water table · subterranean · underground · spring
oozed
Flowed out slowly
percolated · filtered · drained · bled · exuded · weeped · effused · discharged · emitted · escaped
soaked
Thoroughly wet throughout
- saturatedThoroughly soaked through
- permeatedSpread thoroughly through
- penetratedPassed into or through
infused · steeped · imbibed · absorbed · suffused · imbued · pervaded · diffused · spread · infiltrated
crept
Moved slowly, furtively
- insinuatedIndirectly suggested something
- pervadedSpread completely through
- suffusedSpread throughout completely
spread · entered · invaded · overtook · settled · enveloped · consumed · filled · permeated · took hold
slowly
At reduced speed
- graduallyIn slow stages
- imperceptiblyBelow detection threshold
- steadilyIn constant, unwavering fashion
insidiously · incrementally · bit by bit · over time · progressively · creeping · subtly
aquifer
Groundwater-bearing geological formation
- soilGround matter for planting
- earthSoil or electrical grounding
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
bedrock · sediment · clay · sand · substrate · water table · subterranean · underground · spring · well