Definition of skew
intransitive verb
1 : to take an oblique course
2 : to look askance
transitive verb
1 : to make, set, or cut on the skew
2 : to distort especially from a true value or symmetrical form skewed data
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Examples of skew in a Sentence
They were accused of skewing the facts to fit their theory.
He accused them of skewing the rules in their favor.
Recent Examples of skew from the Web
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Earnings are skewed geographically, too: India’s richest states enjoy four times the income per person of its poorest, Bihar.
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Sandals For modern styles that are comfortable without skewing into vaguely orthopedic—not an easy feat—pay a visit to Brentwood’s Habit Footwear + Accessories.
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Sinclair is run by a big-dollar GOP donor, and forced its local affiliates to skew their coverage in Trump’s favor throughout the 2016 campaign.
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But Schuchat cautioned that as fewer people are receiving short-term prescriptions, those who take opioids for years for chronic pain may have skewed the average.
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In 2015, a few unusually large stock option cash outs skewed the average higher — led by Illumina CEO/Chairman Jay Flatley.
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In Tempe, where the population skewed young and wealthy, there are 10.
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Other subcategories within the class of 2017 were even less inclusive, as categories like cinematographer, sound, and visual effects skewed more male than female.
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Only 37 percent of students said Shawnee provides a safe and secure environment, although only 43 percent of the school's high schoolers responded to the survey, which could skew the results.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'skew.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of skew
Middle English, to escape, run obliquely, from Anglo-French *eskiuer, eschiver to escape, avoid — more at eschew
skew
Definition of skew
1 : set, placed, or running obliquely : slanting
2 : more developed on one side or in one direction than another : not symmetrical
First Known Use of skew
1609
Recent Examples of skew from the Web
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Unsurprisingly, Oregon's recruiting results have seen a similar skew in success to the offensive side of the ball.
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Phillips’s sale of Latin-American art on May 25 skews more toward mid-century and contemporary works, though the leading lot here, too, is by Tamayo.
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The three-month skew is at the lowest since 2014, providing exposure to the global upswing in PMIs that may keep the buy-the-dip mentality intact until the end of summer.
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The tunnel curves ahead of us, a skew that will route nuclear (or whatever) material and send it out through the south entrance.
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A measure of options prices known as skew has fallen since late 2016, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch data, indicating investors are taking a more bullish stance toward the peso....
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'skew.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of skew
1688
SKEW Defined for English Language Learners
skew
playDefinition of skew for English Language Learners
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: to change (something) so that it is not true or accurate
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: to make (something) favor a particular group of people in a way that is unfair
Learn More about skew
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See words that rhyme with skew Nglish: Translation of skew for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of skew for Arabic speakers
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