as in to scurry
to move quickly and lightly along a surface
Dry leaves skittered over the sidewalk. Mice skittered across the floor.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skitter
Instead of skittering off, the hot droplets start sticking and seeping into the surface texture, and leave wet patches behind.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
Fingers skitter up and down the strings of a double bass, hands massage the piano keys, brushes gently scratch at the drums.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Gu skittered off the first rail and toppled to her side, dashing her title hopes.
—Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
The two tuxedo cats skittered uneasily away from her, afraid of what kind of chaos this toddling creature would bring into their lives.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skitter
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
Fingers skitter up and down the strings of a double bass, hands massage the piano keys, brushes gently scratch at the drums.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Gu skittered off the first rail and toppled to her side, dashing her title hopes.
—Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
The two tuxedo cats skittered uneasily away from her, afraid of what kind of chaos this toddling creature would bring into their lives.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skitter
Verb
-
An over-excited group of fans celebrated the two saves by breaking a pane of glass behind the Kings bench, sending the coaches scurrying and pausing the game for several minutes as workmen repaired the damage.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The effect was to send much of the congregation scurrying out to buy the record.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pete Crow-Armstrong dashed from third base, tapped the plate and then darted to the fans behind home, jumping on the railing against the netting to celebrate the Chicago Cubs’ walk-off, extra-innings, 2-1 win over the New York Mets at Wrigley Field.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The hungry sharks surrounded Barley in the clips, leaping out of the water and quickly darting around his Sea-Doo.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
New Year’s Eve brought music and dancing to the central square.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
How did Jaafar train to sing and dance in Michael?—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The water spider, according to Cherokee legend, was able to flit across the water to retrieve life-saving coal that could warm the cold world.—
Keith Sharon,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
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This commentary was not from a wonkish TikToker nor a network pundit but from TMZ, the merciless purveyor of celebrity dirt, which published the images of Graham after a citizen vacationer noticed the senator flitting through the theme park and sent pictures.—
Paula Mejía,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The adult moths are attracted to light and will flutter around in the kitchen after sunset looking for a mate.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Kick your legs in small up-and-down fluttering motions while keeping your lower back flat and abs tight throughout.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skitter. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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