1
as in to sneak
to move about in a sly or secret manner we caught a glimpse of someone lurking around the corner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to hide
to remain out of sight watch out for snakes lurking in the tall grass

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lurk distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of lurk are skulk, slink, and sneak. While all these words 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

When might skulk be a better fit than lurk?

Although the words skulk and lurk have much in common, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

When is slink a more appropriate choice than lurk?

The words slink and lurk can be used in similar contexts, but slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

Where would sneak be a reasonable alternative to lurk?

While the synonyms sneak and lurk are close in meaning, 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

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.
Recent Examples of lurk A bit of a hidden gem, the Lions felt the need to trade a 2025 third-rounder for Manu, with the notion that other teams were lurking behind them. Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 20 June 2025 And somewhere across the dugout, Salvador Perez was lurking with a special surprise. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2025 The current labor market appears strong on the surface, but there are big problems lurking underneath. Brit Morse, Fortune, 19 June 2025 But in the background still lurk the conditions and trends that has spurred allocators away from the USD. Diane Brady, Fortune, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lurk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurk
Verb
  • At several shows, bright colors snuck onto the runway, sometimes paired with equally subversive messaging, and, at other times, a playful new take on tradition.
    Alice Pfeiffer, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
  • At the end of Season 2, In-ho so graciously betrays everybody and eventually sneaks away from the pack, fakes his own death of the walkie talkie, and then puts his mask back on and punishes Gi-hun for causing this whole revolt and shoots and kills his best friend right in front of him.
    Jim Halterman, Variety, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The palette is a unique blend of pink, tan, and hints of blue-green that add a subtle amount of color while still hiding dirt and debris.
    Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 26 June 2025
  • Weathered and bumpy, the wall hidden among the surplus clothing stores of the Fashion District was hardly the perfect canvas.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Notifications ping, Slack channels light up, and deep work slips further away.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Inside each room, guests can slip into traditional Japanese house garb (provided complimentary by the hotel), admire modern decor by designer Tony Chi, or take a dip in the jacuzzi-style tub.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Carbon credits have become a buzzword in the fight against climate change but behind the jargon lies a multi-billion-dollar mechanism which is reshaping how companies, individuals and countries account for emissions.
    Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • There, a tactical response team found a man lying dead with a weapon nearby, whom authorities believe was the shooter.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lurk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurk. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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