skew

1 of 3

verb

skewed; skewing; skews

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

skew

2 of 3

adjective

1
: set, placed, or running obliquely : slanting
2
: more developed on one side or in one direction than another : not symmetrical

skew

3 of 3

noun

: a deviation from a straight line : slant

Examples of skew in a Sentence

Verb They were accused of skewing the facts to fit their theory. He accused them of skewing the rules in their favor.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Homemade versions almost always skew watery, more like soup than a thick, smooth mash. Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025 Note that Roofman, another adult-skewing (largely guys, ironically, for a Channing Tatum movie) title last week, did $1M in previews before posting an $8M start. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The stock offers an attractive risk/reward skew, Morgan Stanley analyst Michael Cyprys said. Brian Evans, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025 The viewers are mostly under 30 and skew male, though not too heavily. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
Meantime, at its current valuation Las Vegas Sands is trading 15% down from its highs and the skew is now more positive. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025 As well as the searching crosses from Pedro Porro, there is a notable skew in the direction that their chances are coming from. Mark Carey, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skew

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to escape, run obliquely, from Anglo-French *eskiuer, eschiver to escape, avoid — more at eschew

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1688, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skew was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skew. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

skew

verb
ˈskyü
1
: to take a slanting course : move or turn aside : swerve
2
: to distort from a true value or symmetrical form
skewed the facts to fit their theory

More from Merriam-Webster on skew

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