Crawly

Describing something that causes a sensation of insects crawling on the skin or an uneasy, unsettling feeling. This often evokes images of small, moving creatures, leading to a feeling of unease, itchiness, or revulsion. The term can apply to physical sensations, like the feeling of something brushing against your skin, or to abstract concepts, like the atmosphere of a suspenseful scene. It suggests something unsettling, causing goosebumps or a feeling of being watched. The level of discomfort can vary from slight to extreme, depending on the context.

Crawly meaning with examples

• The old, abandoned house had a crawly feeling to it, with cobwebs hanging and shadows dancing. The damp air and the creaking of the floorboards combined to create a palpable sense of unease, making me want to escape quickly. Even the sunlight streaming through the dusty windows seemed insufficient to dispel the unsettling atmosphere.
• After the particularly gruesome scene in the horror film, I felt a crawly sensation on my arms. It was the type of feeling that makes you want to immediately check and make sure that nothing is actually there. The director had done a fantastic job of cultivating a truly disturbing viewing experience for the audience.
• As I walked through the dark forest, the silence was unnerving, and the feeling of something unseen brushing against my skin gave me a crawly feeling. Every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig increased my anxiety, making me quicken my pace to escape the enclosed, intimidating environment.
• The suspenseful music, combined with the long takes and slow camera movement, created a crawly atmosphere throughout the thriller film. The dread built slowly, creating anticipation for something to come, making the audience's skin prickle with the implied threat and suspenseful intrigue.