skulk 1 of 2

verb

ˈskəlk How to pronounce skulk (audio)
Definition of skulknext
1
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner I thought I saw someone skulking about in the shadows

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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
Advertisement Some have described voting out of fear, with security personnel in traditional clothing and sunglasses and armed policemen skulking around polling areas, according to ABC. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 Jan. 2026 The film’s John Slattery, who has fallen on hard times after the halcyon days of Mad Men and is skulking in the Valley, is enlisted to help with the endeavor. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026 This leaves Stephen skulking away to plot his revenge some other way. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026 One roach skulked under a food prep table. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skulk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulk
  1. lurk
  2. hide
  3. weasel
  4. sneak
  5. lie
  6. skunk
  7. snake
Verb
  • On April 29, the loose body that lurked in the backdrop all along became lodged inside Skubal’s elbow joint in front of the world.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Is the Caped Crusader lurking in the periphery of Matt’s vision?
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026
Definition of lurk
Verb
  • The tree in Athens isn’t likely to make it through the construction of a new $225 million courthouse, despite some interest in preserving the piece of history hiding in plain sight.
    — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
  • The tinkerer believes there is always another possibility hiding beneath the surface of failure.
    — Lintao "LT" Lu, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of hide
Noun
  • Wolverines — the sturdy animals in the images the national forest shared online — are the largest members of the mustelid family, which includes species of badgers, otters and weasels.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 5 June 2026
  • Normally, during the warmer months, timber rattlesnakes feed on weasels and small rodents.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
Definition of weasel
Verb
  • Homer would likely be easier to sneak through to the practice squad and then elevate on game days.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Nick, Schmidt, Coach and Winston manage to sneak into the mansion, with Nick desperately trying to make things right with Jess, who is now fully freaking out.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Definition of sneak
Verb
  • The avenue lies within the city’s original historic district, where preservation rules tightly regulate new construction and alterations.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 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 lie
Noun
  • On Martha’s Vineyard, a low-lying fence with chicken wire is installed seasonally at the entrance of a key breeding site for oystercatchers and other seabirds and shorebirds, which has kept skunks and raccoons that eat their eggs off the beach.
    — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • Very Rivian also means yeti graphics on its vehicles, and Easter eggs like a frog and skunk underneath the washer fluid cover up front.
    — Greg Migliore, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of skunk
Noun
  • The tracker implanted inside her will eventually lead the team to more snakes.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • Guidry, at the prow, raised the lantern, revealed in the circle oflight a bobbing tangle of sargassum weed, a swimming snake, a child’s cloth doll.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of snake

Browse Nearby Words

skulduggery
skulk
skulked
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Cite this Entry

“Skulk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulk. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of skulk for Spanish Speakers

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