Synonyms of lurking

lurking

verb

present participle of lurk

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

• sneaking
• slipping
• sliding
• crawling
• skulking
• stealing
• creeping
• slinking
• tiptoeing
• snaking
• shirking
• mousing
• pussyfooting
• mooching
• inching
• edging
• padding
• worming
• ghosting

2

as in hiding

to remain out of sight

watch out for snakes lurking in the tall grass

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hiding
• lying
• skulking
• reposing
• lying low
• sneaking
• slinking
• holing up
• evading
• sitting tight
• avoiding
• eluding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appearing
• coming out
• showing up
• turning up
• materializing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lurking

Maybe the top of the fridge hasn’t seen a wipe-down in months, or the inside of your toaster tray has some lurking crumbs. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026

Scientists do not yet know whether dark matter is made up of ancient black holes lurking throughout space, undiscovered heavy and slow particles, or unknown lighter and faster particles. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Newcomers Álvarez and Knight couldn’t be better in their newlywed roles, convincing in their giddy love scenes, their casual affections, their unwanted suspicions and, most of all, their terror at whatever is lurking in the air and in their souls. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026

Superstitious Romans imagined demons lurking in the darkness under the toilet seats. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Reports from across the UK show the mischievous character lurking outside windows and startling passersby. — Gina Park, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Audiences embraced the films for their creeping realism and slow-building scares, which transformed ordinary bedrooms, hallways and home security cameras into places where something terrifying might be lurking just outside the frame. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

The film, which co-stars Michelle Monaghan and Michael Keaton, taps into primal fears of the unknown and danger lurking in our own backyards. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

The steering could communicate more, and the vehicle's substantial mass is always lurking somewhere underneath the otherwise impressive dynamics. — New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026