Synonyms of slink

slink

verb

ˈsliŋk 

as in to sneak

to move about in a sly or secret manner

like a thief slinking about in the middle of the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sneak
• lurk
• slip
• slide
• mouse
• steal
• crawl
• skulk
• snake
• shirk
• tiptoe
• creep
• pussyfoot
• mooch
• worm
• edge
• pad
• inch
• ghost

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slink distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slink are lurk, skulk, and sneak. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

When is lurk a more appropriate choice than slink?

While the synonyms lurk and slink are close in meaning, lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

When might skulk be a better fit than slink?

In some situations, the words skulk and slink are roughly equivalent. However, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

When can sneak be used instead of slink?

The synonyms sneak and slink are sometimes interchangeable, 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

Recent Examples of slink

But hopefully the people who refuse to slink away and remain silent will get a chance to rewrite it—for good. —Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 18 June 2025

In this case, the snake was right outside Anna's door, slinking around the doorbell and a wire basket sitting on the front porch. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 4 June 2025

Gi-hun wears a red vest while slinking around corners of a hallway as Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon) prepares to fight during another tense game. —Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 5 May 2025

And after dark, the dealers were impossible to miss: short young men in hoodies and women in pajama pants, slinking around corners with side packs. —Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025