slither

verb

slith·​er ˈsli-t͟hər How to pronounce slither (audio)
slithered; slithering; slithers
Synonyms of slithernext

intransitive verb

1
: to slide on or as if on a loose gravelly surface
2
: to slip or slide like a snake

transitive verb

: to cause to slide

Examples of slither in a Sentence

The snake slithered through the garden. To get under the porch, I lay on my stomach and slithered like a snake. She slithered quietly into the room. He slithered his hand around her waist.
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.
Hi-hats and snares appear in fragmentary bursts, icy synths precipitate and evaporate, and Zel slithers wryly in the cut. Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026 Where a good firm stone would help the snail push back against the starfish and right herself again, the sand would slither out from under or close over her; and the starfish would bear down, extruding its stomach to engulf her, its digestive juices dissolving her alive. Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026 That freed up Podz — an exceptional slasher with a strong feel for the game off-ball — to slither into all the spaces the defense left exposed. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026 Even the opening credits, some written in slithering hair, seem to tremble out of either fear or ecstasy. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slither

Word History

Etymology

Middle English slideren, from Old English slidrian, frequentative of slīdan to slide

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slither was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slither.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slither. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

slither

verb
slith·​er ˈslit͟h-ər How to pronounce slither (audio)
1
: to slide or cause to slide on or as if on a loose gravelly surface
2
: to slip or slide like a snake

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