skulk 1 of 2

1
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner I thought I saw someone skulking about in the shadows

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2
as in to hide
to remain out of sight the animal control officers caught the stray cat that had been skulking behind some trash cans

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skulk

2 of 2

noun

as in weasel
someone who acts in a sly and secret manner were surprised to discover the skulk stealing from the garden was a raccoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word skulk distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of skulk are lurk, slink, and sneak. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

When is it sensible to use lurk instead of skulk?

While in some cases nearly identical to skulk, lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

Where would slink be a reasonable alternative to skulk?

The synonyms slink and skulk are sometimes interchangeable, but slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

In what contexts can sneak take the place of skulk?

The words sneak and skulk can be used in similar contexts, but sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

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 skulk
Verb
Money speaks, the land listens, where the Anarchist skulked, where the horsethief plied his trade, we fishers of Americans will cast our nets of perfect ten-acre mesh, leveled and varmint-proofed, ready to build on. Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025 The models skulked through The Box like zombies from a past life. Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 As the wedding party and their guests panic inside the mansion, Sam puts her skills to use by skulking around the property and picking off baddies one by one. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025 Nolan witnessed the very start of the peck, then quickly pivoted and skulked away. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skulk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulk
Verb
  • Roynon explains that color can lift good feng shui energy and mute any negative energy that may be lurking around.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025
  • However, Zandi still sees a precarious situation with many risks lurking that could flip the economy.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There’s no attempt to hide the staging, although the accompanying musicians are mostly unseen.
    Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
  • In December 1978, Gacy confessed to kidnapping, raping and murdering dozens of boys and men, some as young as 14 years old, and hiding many of their bodies in a crawl space under the house.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As usual, Snout the weasel was sneaking around, looking for an opportunity to snatch everyone’s food.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Then there’s Vince Panaro, the main character of the season and weasel of all weasels, a man whose mere mention triggers noses wrinkling in distaste.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kevin sneaks his way into a room at the Plaza Hotel and gets up to his usual shenanigans in the building, which was owned in real life by Donald at the time, with Ivana serving as the property's president.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Jim snuck in and took an aisle seat as the lights dimmed.
    Jon Landau, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • It was considered immoral to lie and the whole point of writing things down back then was to increase morality and improve society, so there really is no didactic history of forgery.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Ironically, the football game itself is just a backdrop, the real experience lies beyond the field.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That’s a sure way to invite not only raccoons but other unwanted guests such as mice, opossums, and skunks.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Animals that typically carry rabies are bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Indo-European mythology is about more than a sky father and a snake.
    Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Same goes for lizards, snakes, tarantulas and other pets.
    Kurtcia Collazo, IndyStar, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skulk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulk. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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