slink

verb \ ˈsliŋk \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

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Examples: slink in a Sentence

Definition of slink

slunk play \ˈsləŋk\ also slinked play \ˈsliŋ(k)t\; slinking

intransitive verb

1 : to go or move stealthily or furtively (as in fear or shame) : steal

2 : to move in a sinuous provocative manner

transitive verb

: to give premature birth to —used especially of a domestic animal

a cow that slinks her calf

See slink defined for English-language learners

See slink defined for kids

Examples of slink in a Sentence

He slinked away in shame.
like a thief slinking about in the middle of the night

Recent Examples of slink from the Web

In undersea warfare, quietness is everything, allowing submarines to sneak up on targets and slink away after making their attacks.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Navy Testing Superhydrophobic Hull Coatings For Submarines," 5 July 2018
The first time Gadsby tells this anecdote, the man recognizes his mistake and slinks away, humiliated by his ignorance.

— rachel syme, The New Republic, "Nanette Rewrites the History of Art," 3 July 2018
The president slinked away, the way a bully does when faced with unexpected resistance.

— john branch, New York Times, "Why the N.F.L. and the N.B.A. Are So Far Apart on Social Justice Stances," 22 June 2018
In a mock takedown, recruits were slinking through the savanna carrying automatic weapons before pouncing on a poacher and arresting him.

— National Geographic, "As Tigers Become Rarer, Poachers Are Targeting Lions," 1 June 2018
If Harden were to slink into the summer again, so much apparent progress, both for this franchise player and for his team, would be at risk of coming undone.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "James Harden’s Reputation Hangs on His Response to Steph Curry’s ‘Haymaker’," 21 May 2018
Rather than slinking away from an issue that has burned him in recent days, Trump is keeping attention on it.

— jonathan allen /, NBC News, "The Art of No Deal: Why Trump doesn't want an immigration bill," 22 June 2018
Even under an umbrella or a shade structure, UV rays can slink through the fabric and cause skin damage.

— mansi sarihan, md, USA TODAY, "Ask a Doc: Do your kids need sunscreen if they're in the shade?," 18 June 2018
From there, Ellie slinks through a dark, dystopian forest full of dead bodies hanging from trees or impaled on whatever’s handy.

— megan farokhmanesh, The Verge, "Sony’s E3 press conference was a hyper-detailed gross-out fest," 12 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of slink

Middle English, from Old English slincan to creep; akin to Old English slingan to worm, twist

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

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slink Synonyms

Synonyms

lurk, mooch, mouse, pussyfoot, shirk, skulk, slide, slip, snake, sneak, steal;

Related Words

crawl, creep, inch, worm;

pad, tiptoe;

Synonym Discussion of slink

lurk, skulk, slink, sneak mean to behave so as to escape attention. lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

- suspicious men lurking in alleyways

skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

- something skulking in the shadows

slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

- slunk around the corner

sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

- sneaked out early

slink

noun

Definition of slink

: the young of an animal (such as a calf) brought forth prematurely; also : the flesh or skin of such an animal

First Known Use of slink

1607

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

slink

adjective

Definition of slink

: born prematurely or abortively

a slink calf

First Known Use of slink

1750

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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SLINK Defined for English Language Learners

slink

verb

Definition of slink for English Language Learners

: to move in a way that does not attract attention especially because you are embarrassed, afraid, or doing something wrong

SLINK Defined for Kids

slink

verb \ ˈsliŋk \

Definition of slink for Students

slunk \ˈsləŋk\; slinking

: to move or go by or as if by creeping especially so as not to be noticed (as in fear or shame)

… he stuck his tail between his legs and slunk swiftly away …
—Jean Craighead George, Julie of the Wolves

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slink

Definition of slink

Examples of slink in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of slink

slink Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of slink

slink

Definition of slink

First Known Use of slink

slink

Definition of slink

First Known Use of slink

SLINK Defined for English Language Learners

slink

Definition of slink for English Language Learners

SLINK Defined for Kids

slink

Definition of slink for Students

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