as in to scurry
to move quickly and lightly along a surface
Dry leaves skittered over the sidewalk. Mice skittered across the floor.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 skitter
The slow-rolling single with skittering drum machine beats mashed against both mens’ drawling vocals is of a piece with Jelly’s frequent lyrical focus on mental health and his battles with substance use.
—
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025
Several small, unsecured items fell and skittered across the cabin floor.
—Heather Steinberger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024
Arthropleura lived between 290 million and 346 million years ago, skittering around the Earth’s tropical equator alongside other massive arthropods like the two-foot-long scorpion Pulmonoscorpius.
—Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Any horror novel worth its salt should make the heart race and the spine tingle, as if a great, hairy spider was skittering along each vertebrae.
—Jordan Kopy, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skitter
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025
Several small, unsecured items fell and skittered across the cabin floor.
—Heather Steinberger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024
Arthropleura lived between 290 million and 346 million years ago, skittering around the Earth’s tropical equator alongside other massive arthropods like the two-foot-long scorpion Pulmonoscorpius.
—Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Any horror novel worth its salt should make the heart race and the spine tingle, as if a great, hairy spider was skittering along each vertebrae.
—Jordan Kopy, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skitter
Verb
-
Their eyes are more sensitive to movement, so fast-moving visuals—like scurrying mice—are particularly engaging.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Dismounting, the ship’s captain unlocked the outer gate, and his men scurried into the courtyard, squeezing through the small door that led into the gunpowder room.—
Andrew Lawler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
As Duren cut-off Brunson’s lane, Bridges created one of his own: His man, Malik Beasley, turned his head towards the paint, and Bridges darted to the top of the key.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
-
From pole, Hamilton darted in front of Verstappen and kept him at bay heading into Turn 1.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The goal was the result of a sensational play by Theodore, who collected a puck at the blue line, danced into open ice, froze Gustavsson with a slap shot fake, and fed Dorofeyev for a one-timer into a wide-open net.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
By 60 months, the child does not sing, dance, or act for you.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Endemic species of long, segmented bristle worms and tiny crustaceans graze on bacteria mats and flit among fields of chemosynthetic tube worms, growing thick as grass.—
Christian Elliott,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Apr. 2025
-
During a hike through Robinsons Island, visitors can spot boreal chickadees, red crossbills and yellow warblers flitting along the branches, while the refuge’s many beaches are perfect for spotting shorebirds like the willet and greater yellowlegs.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
While some birds can flutter in place momentarily, the hummingbird can hover in one place for an extended period, fly forward or backward, and move at an incredible speed.—
Ernie Cowan,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Less enjoyable: being assaulted by the insects that are fluttering around the porch lights, just waiting for an opportunity to be ushered indoors.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skitter. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share