LURKING Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

lurking

verb

present participle of lurk

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

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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 The ballista spider spends its days lurking in webs on the undersides of leaves in the rainforests of north Queensland, Australia. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 6 July 2026 But after his imprisonment, Lilburne’s Proposition became the defining cause of the radical Leveller movement, which subsequently dedicated itself to unlocking all of the revolutionary possibilities lurking in the word equal. — Teresa M. Bejan, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 As beachgoers flock to water during the busy July Fourth weekend, danger could be lurking in some areas. — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 1 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurking

Verb

Just a few weeks into the war, one of the Persian Gulf’s top oil producers quietly began sneaking its crude out of the Strait of Hormuz.

— Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
But neither those measures nor Friday’s sizzling temperatures stopped fans from gathering in hopes of sneaking a peak at their longtime idol and sending Swift their well wishes.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of sneaking

Verb

Failing to disclose or intentionally hiding assets can make a prenup more vulnerable to being challenged in court.

— Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 6 July 2026
The find suggests one of NASA’s most successful planet hunters may still have plenty of surprises hiding in its archives.

— Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 6 July 2026

Definition of hiding

Verb

Cabrera allowed four runs on four hits and two walks in 4⅓ innings and the Padres piled on against Arizona’s bullpen in slipping ahead of the Diamondbacks in the wild-card race.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
But instead of slipping into fixer mode, reflect on what the situation is exposing to you about an emotional pattern.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Definition of slipping

Verb

Prolonged heavy rain will result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks and streams.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
Greenland’s location is key Greenland sits off the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its territory lying within the Arctic Circle.

— Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of lying

Verb

Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
With the center sliding ever rightward, is the board’s plea for moderation a ploy to keep the Democrats compliant and accepting in their/our being dragged along through the corridors of power?

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Definition of sliding

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lurking

lurks

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“Lurking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurking. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of lurking

verb

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