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
His core viewership skews heavily toward ages 11 to 24, with the strongest concentration among middle schoolers through younger university students. Dave Smith, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025 That number may be a bit skewed by his lone postseason appearance last season (five innings, four runs) but is the number regardless. Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Convenient menu customizations help make up for recipes that skew pretty basic. Alexis Berger, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025 But Crayton also pointed out that states with Democratic majorities, like Illinois, have responded with their own maps that also skew districts in their favor, leading to an endless cycle. Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
Note, The Housemaid in its young, heavy-female skew is counterprogramming to that family event title. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025 The path for the latter viewpoint skews toward the wise, resilient soul that most would likely aspire to be in their senior years. Tom Roland, Billboard, 28 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 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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