Synonym with positive connotation for “peeping through the door”

Question

She peeped through the door asking for permission to enter.

Does peeped through have a negative connotation? If so, is there a better word or phrase to be used in such context?

Answer 1

Yes, peeped through the door suggests something secretive or cautious. That said, it is probably okay to say:

She peeped in asking for permission to enter.

Or, using a close cousin:

She peeked in asking for permission to enter.

The usual phrases also involving "the door" run along the lines of:

She stuck her head in the door asking for permission to enter.

She poked her head in the door asking for permission to enter.

Answer 2

The word 'peeped' suggests something surruptitions and illicit. It is strongly associated with "peeping Tom", someone who spies on people.

"peered" means roughly the same as "peeped", but without the secretive and negative connotations. "Peeked" might ulso be viable.

Answer 3

Peeping definitely can have a negative connotation. Consider

He peeped through the window hoping to enter. She saw Tom looking in and called the police.

The phrase, peeping Tom has widespread use (at least in the US) for someone who illegally breaches privacy

a person who derives sexual pleasure from secretly watching people undressing or engaging in sexual activity.

While the word can be used in the simple sense of looking through a narrow opening, more often peep has a secretive quality

look quickly and furtively at something, especially through a narrow opening