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

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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 Everyone in France has been more than aware of Zidane’s presence lurking off stage for the last few years. — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 July 2026 These pests are excellent hiders, but they can often be spotted lurking under plant leaves and around plant crowns. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026 American Ryan Gerard and Australian Lucas Herbert were three shots back, while big names like Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and Ludvig Åberg sat several shots back but were lurking. — Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026 Dark romance deals in taboo, whether that be power dynamics between lovers or danger lurking beyond a relationship. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 18 July 2026 Helen and Daniel also spend some time lurking on the dark web, looking for an audio recording of the final minutes before Charlotte crashed. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 July 2026 There is also, obviously, a music nerd lurking beneath the superstar exterior. — Riann Phillip, Vogue, 15 July 2026 Delving back into 11 years of archival data, the team found the third planet lurking in various images. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 July 2026 The key to making all of this work is really Deutch, who knows how to lace an all-American sweetness with a sense of anarchy lurking right below the surface. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurking
  1. sneaking
  2. hiding
  3. slipping
  4. lying
  5. sliding
Verb
  • The facing page depicts a mother, fearful, sneaking away to protect her new child.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
  • Her grandmother is sneaking out at night, and even shows up to Jazz’s school as a substitute.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of sneaking
Verb
  • Little does Sinon know, Odysseus and his men are hiding inside the horse to launch a sneak attack on Troy.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 July 2026
  • The philosopher Michael Sandel (Rhodes Scholar, Harvard professor) accuses elites of hiding their privilege behind spurious claims of merit.
    — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
Definition of hiding
Verb
  • Twenty wrestlers are committed to slipping on their mawashi loincloths (don’t call it a diaper), stomping to signal their readiness (that’s a shiko) and doing some belly-slapping grappling.
    — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
  • Audiences had not responded well to Schmidt’s two-timing Cece and Elizabeth, and a dark cloud hovered around the network’s growing frustration over New Girl’s slipping ratings.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Definition of slipping
Verb
  • The Cinerama Dome in Hollywood is finally set to reopen after six years of lying dormant since the COVID-19 pandemic.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
  • City see Bouaddi as somebody who will need to improve in attacking areas, but are convinced of his ability as a deep-lying, combative midfielder who is very comfortable on the ball.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of lying
Verb
  • Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of sliding

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Cite this Entry

“Lurking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurking. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lurking

Nglish: Translation of lurking for Spanish Speakers

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