Synonyms of skulk

skulk 1 of 2

verb

ˈskəlk 

1

as in to lurk

to move about in a sly or secret manner

I thought I saw someone skulking about in the shadows

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lurk
• sneak
• slip
• mouse
• steal
• crawl
• slide
• slink
• snake
• creep
• shirk
• pussyfoot
• tiptoe
• mooch
• worm
• ghost
• edge
• pad
• inch

2

as in to hide

to remain out of sight

the animal control officers caught the stray cat that had been skulking behind some trash cans

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lurk
• hide
• lie
• slink
• repose
• sneak
• lie low
• hole up
• evade
• sit tight
• elude
• avoid

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appear
• come out
• show up
• turn up
• materialize

skulk

2 of 2

noun

as in weasel

someone who acts in a sly and secret manner

were surprised to discover the skulk stealing from the garden was a raccoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weasel
• sneak
• skunk
• skulker
• snake
• sneaker
• lurker
• spy
• slyboots
• snoop
• stalker
• sharper
• swindler
• sharpy
• snooper
• slicker
• sharpie

Synonym Chooser

How is the word skulk distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of skulk are lurk, slink, and sneak. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

When is it sensible to use lurk instead of skulk?

While in some cases nearly identical to skulk, lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

Where would slink be a reasonable alternative to skulk?

The synonyms slink and skulk are sometimes interchangeable, but slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

In what contexts can sneak take the place of skulk?

The words sneak and skulk can be used in similar contexts, but sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of skulk

Verb

Red, skulking around the lower edge of the painting, seems subject to gravity’s laws in ways that blue is not. —Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Some of the Jurassic giants took their sweet time, moving in fits and starts; others might have skulked more urgently. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025

Team Melissa leaves and convenes in the parking lot, with Jackie skulking around the corner afraid of running into them. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2024

Even so, there’s a profound loneliness skulking around his book. —Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

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