1
as in sneaking
to move about in a sly or secret manner
we caught a glimpse of someone lurking around the corner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in hiding
to remain out of sight
watch out for snakes lurking in the tall grass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 lurking
Unbeknownst to its more than 800 members, Flod had been lurking in the public group for years, silently celebrating each new mention of Pinky.
—
Ryan Steven Green,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
Messi, Mbappe and Kane will battle for this award, although Dembele is lurking, too.
—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Finally, book eleven, Bernard Malmud’s The Fixer, was found lurking on a twelfth-grade syllabus.
—
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
To figure out why, an international team investigated the proteins lurking inside of the skeletal remains.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
24 June 2026
On his Instagram, happy photos of his family living the American dream are interspersed with violent admonitions about the forces lurking in his own community and seeking to destroy him.
—
Christopher Hooks,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
For Lestat, embracing the loneliness has an immediate reaction on the muses lurking in the crowds at his show.
—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
22 June 2026
Others see the Boston Celtics as a big threat to get him instead, and many other teams are still lurking in the hunt.
—
Greg Cote
june 19,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, The Boroughs followed a group of older misfits at a retirement community who become entangled in an otherworldly mystery lurking beneath them.
—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 June 2026
Ryan Steven Green,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
Messi, Mbappe and Kane will battle for this award, although Dembele is lurking, too.
—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Finally, book eleven, Bernard Malmud’s The Fixer, was found lurking on a twelfth-grade syllabus.
—
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
To figure out why, an international team investigated the proteins lurking inside of the skeletal remains.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
24 June 2026
On his Instagram, happy photos of his family living the American dream are interspersed with violent admonitions about the forces lurking in his own community and seeking to destroy him.
—
Christopher Hooks,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
For Lestat, embracing the loneliness has an immediate reaction on the muses lurking in the crowds at his show.
—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
22 June 2026
Others see the Boston Celtics as a big threat to get him instead, and many other teams are still lurking in the hunt.
—
Greg Cote
june 19,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, The Boroughs followed a group of older misfits at a retirement community who become entangled in an otherworldly mystery lurking beneath them.
—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurking
Verb
-
His one rule for guests is to chase whatever task is nagging at them, but to resist sneaking in actual work.
-
As for oats, consider sneaking in some extra protein to round out their nutritional profile.
Verb
-
The country’s singular role in hiding Jews from their Nazi occupiers is well documented.
-
The anti-Trump rage, the surge of younger, more educated progressive voters, the hunger for someone willing to fight on affordability with policy, message, and tone, in Albany and Washington — all of it was hiding in plain sight for anyone looking at the data rather than the tired, old playbook.
Verb
-
In its latest trends report, Embark says September is pacing ahead of last year in Europe, while July is slipping—the first time that has happened in the company's history.
-
Cleveland is probably most at risk of slipping toward the sell side, but the Guardians have made the playoffs two years in a row and have stayed in playoff contention these past three months.
Verb
-
For some perplexing reason, Gia has decided to die on the hill that Ava is lying, despite having no way to prove that and despite the fact that Ava has no reason to lie.
-
Anderson is one of the best deep-lying ball-players in the Premier League right now.
Verb
-
Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd said Minnesota was considering selecting Duke wing Isaiah Evans with the 28th pick in this week’s NBA Draft, prior to the Wolves sliding back five selections due to the Julius Randle trade.
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
Cite this Entry
“Lurking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurking. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
