skulk 1 of 2

1
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner I thought I saw someone skulking about in the shadows

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2
as in to hide
to remain out of sight the animal control officers caught the stray cat that had been skulking behind some trash cans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

skulk

2 of 2

noun

as in weasel
someone who acts in a sly and secret manner were surprised to discover the skulk stealing from the garden was a raccoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word skulk distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of skulk are lurk, slink, and sneak. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

When is it sensible to use lurk instead of skulk?

While in some cases nearly identical to skulk, lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

Where would slink be a reasonable alternative to skulk?

The synonyms slink and skulk are sometimes interchangeable, but slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

In what contexts can sneak take the place of skulk?

The words sneak and skulk can be used in similar contexts, but sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of skulk
Verb
Caught between Ocasio-Cortez on the left and MAGA, Schumer has been skulking through the U.S. Capitol mired in an aura of defeat. Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025 Gaga debuted it with an unforgettable SNL performance, skulking through the Studio 8H hallways like a woman possessed. Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025 Birdwatchers can keep their eyes on the skies in search of Eurasian sparrowhawks and peregrine falcons, while truly fortunate visitors might be able to catch a glimpse of an Italian wolf skulking through the park in search of prey. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 Red, skulking around the lower edge of the painting, seems subject to gravity’s laws in ways that blue is not. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skulk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulk
Verb
  • These brief Charley moments are frankly much more dynamic than any repetitive scene of Dexter lurking around his son.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 July 2025
  • The incident comes as paranoia surrounding the possibility of a serial killer lurking within the New England region grips the area following a series of unexplained deaths in recent months.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • The green laser shows you where dust might be hiding on your floors, and the LCD screen will tell you about the particle sizes down to the micron.
    Nena Farrell, Wired News, 8 July 2025
  • Such a deal is not going to bring about North Korea’s denuclearization, of course, and Pyongyang will likely attempt to cheat by hiding some of its nuclear facilities.
    ANDREI LANKOV, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Skunks are mammals that are more like weasels than rodents.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
  • But some, including pigeons, weasels, skunks, coyotes and most rodents, are excluded from such rules.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • This snack is a great way to sneak even more protein into your kid’s diet.
    Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 15 July 2025
  • Dianne witnessed Tiffany sneaking the card into her back pocket and confronted her.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The islands of Aruba and Curaçao, for example, lie outside the hurricane belt, offering a reliable escape even at the height of hurricane season.
    Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
  • The challenge lies in the complexity of digital evidence and the legitimate privacy concerns that fuel resistance.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Birds nest beneath Wright’s generous eaves, skunks burrow into foundations, and spiders spin webs on geometric architectural details.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • Austin Wildlife Rescue has taken in over 120 animals since the weekend including baby squirrels, skunks and turtles.
    Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Rescuers maneuvering through challenging terrain, high waters and snakes including water moccasins continued their desperate search for the missing, including 10 girls and a counselor from the camp.
    Brit Morse, Fortune, 7 July 2025
  • Woman screams as snake attacks—dog jumps in and takes the venom for her The video highlighted the canine parents, with viewers instantly falling in love with the unique puppies.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skulk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulk. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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