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skedaddle

play
verb ske·dad·dle \ ski-ˈda-dᵊl \

Definition of skedaddle

skedaddled; skedaddling play \ski-ˈdad-liŋ, -ˈda-dᵊl-iŋ\
intransitive verb
:run away, scram; especially :to flee in a panic
—

skedaddler

play \ski-ˈdad-lər, -ˈda-dᵊl-ər\ noun

See skedaddle defined for English-language learners

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Examples of skedaddle in a Sentence

  1. I've got to skedaddle or I'll be late.

  2. we skedaddled as soon as we saw the snake entering our campsite

Recent Examples of skedaddle from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'skedaddle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of skedaddle

probably alteration of British dialect scaddle to run off in a fright, from scaddle, adjective, wild, timid, skittish, from Middle English scathel, skadylle harmful, fierce, wild, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skathi harm — more at scathe

skedaddle Synonyms

Synonyms
bolt, break, bug out, flee, fly, hightail (it), retreat, run away, run off, run
Related Words
abscond, clear out, decamp, elope, escape, get (away), get out, lam, light out, make off, mizzle [chiefly British], scarper [British], scat, scram, skip (out), skirr
Near Antonyms
beard, brave, confront, dare, defy, face; abide, dwell, hang around, linger, remain, stay, stick around, tarry

SKEDADDLE Defined for English Language Learners

skedaddle

play
verb

Definition of skedaddle for English Language Learners

  • : to leave a place very quickly

Learn More about skedaddle

  1. See words that rhyme with skedaddle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for skedaddle

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Examples: skedaddle in a Sentence