slink

verb \ ˈsliŋk \

|Updated on: 1 Jun 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

Tiny coho fry scoot through the water, their shadows slinking across the clean sediment of the creek bottom, where the larvae of caddisfly lumber.

— lynda v. mapes, The Seattle Times, "Battling Scotch broom along Olympic’s Hoh River that threatens fish, forests," 27 May 2018
The Loch Ness Monster has captured the popular imagination since 1933, when a photo surfaced of the mythical creature, long neck slinking out of the water.

— laura yan, Popular Mechanics, "Can DNA Sampling Finally Unveil the Loch Ness Monster?," 26 May 2018
The cats are supremely secretive, taking great care to slink through underbrush and avoid activity during the day.

— National Geographic, "Cougar That Killed Cyclist Was Underweight, Likely Desperate," 21 May 2018
Andrea, by contrast, keeps her own feelings at arm’s length while permitting herself to slink around with him, out of view of her censorious and gossip-loving friends.

— christine sneed, New York Times, "She’s Here, She’s Queer, She’s Figuring Out What That Means," 11 Apr. 2018
Between April 1974 and December 1975, the Visalia Ransacker slinked through this small town's streets and alleys and burglarized about 100 homes, police said.

— sarah parvini, latimes.com, "For Visalia police, Golden State Killer suspect is 'the ghost we've been chasing'," 7 May 2018
Written and directed by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, and based on their 2010 stage play, the movie slinks after Professor Goodman (Mr. Nyman), debunker of paranormal claims and scourge of charlatans.

— jeannette catsoulis, New York Times, "Review: A Paranormal Sleuth Investigates Three ‘Ghost Stories’," 19 Apr. 2018
And slink back to the land of Skyline Chili, tail firmly between legs, to back up Andy Dalton with a one-year deal, hoping 2019 is better for him. • Malcolm Butler to Tennessee for $12 million a year.

— peter king, SI.com, "Free Agency Free-For-All: Thoughts On All The Deals Done Before The NFL Year Opens," 14 Mar. 2018
The superhero and the supervillain fight, scheme, and bluster, and one gains dominance while the other slinks away, thwarted again.

— rachel syme, The New Republic, ""Billions" reckons with the inflated egos and muddled ethics of Wall Street.," 24 Apr. 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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

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Examples of slink in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of slink

slink Synonyms

Synonyms

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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

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