as in to scurry
to move quickly and lightly along a surface
Dry leaves skittered over the sidewalk. Mice skittered across the floor.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skitter
For a new study in the Journal of Experimental Biology, Weiss and her co-authors recorded skittering cricket frogs from above and below the surface at 500 frames per second and then played the videos back much more slowly.
—
Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
Inch-long cricket frogs also seem to skitter over the surface of water with physics-defying grace.
—Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
The slow-rolling single with skittering drum machine beats mashed against both mens’ drawling vocals is of a piece with Jelly’s frequent lyrical focus on mental health and his battles with substance use.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025
Several small, unsecured items fell and skittered across the cabin floor.
—Heather Steinberger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skitter
Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
Inch-long cricket frogs also seem to skitter over the surface of water with physics-defying grace.
—Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
The slow-rolling single with skittering drum machine beats mashed against both mens’ drawling vocals is of a piece with Jelly’s frequent lyrical focus on mental health and his battles with substance use.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025
Several small, unsecured items fell and skittered across the cabin floor.
—Heather Steinberger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skitter
Verb
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In one jump-cut scene, the little girl scurries back to the noodle stop through the market while percussive music plays, bursting with fear and excitement at her new illicit hobby.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2025
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The other women scurry out as the Guardian looks on, stymied.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
13 May 2025
Verb
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But rather than a joyful but tranquil parade down the stage during the commencement ceremony, what happened instead was a high-speed foot chase, as Al Arab sprinted across the stage, clutching his baby boy, with a university police officer darting behind him.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
22 May 2025
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Swallows inhabit some of these bluffs, darting after insects that flutter above the water.—
Alann B. Steen,
Outdoor Life,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Steamy kisses and a Billie Eilish sweep The American Music Awards had it all: dancing, kissing, and even a family surprise.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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Created by Simon Cowell, the show features performers from across the country and around the world auditioning for the judges to showcase a variety of talents, from singing and dancing to magic and stunts.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Those skills apparently translate fairly easily into urban environments, where Cooper’s hawks flit amid trees and concrete landscapes, stalking city pigeons and doves.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
23 May 2025
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Small miracles spare the staff Most Saturdays, Abdallah and his staff are flitting between patient rooms and laboratories, sterilizing equipment, checking on growing embryos and walking hopeful parents through the arduous process of in vitro fertilization.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Swallows inhabit some of these bluffs, darting after insects that flutter above the water.—
Alann B. Steen,
Outdoor Life,
21 May 2025
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Songbirds cried in the surrounding trees, and the girl’s heart fluttered with unspeakable sadness.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skitter. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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