Synonyms of skulk

skulk 1 of 2

verb

ˈskəlk 

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

• lurk
• sneak
• slip
• mouse
• steal
• crawl
• slide
• slink
• snake
• creep
• shirk
• pussyfoot
• tiptoe
• mooch
• worm
• ghost
• edge
• pad
• inch

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

• lurk
• hide
• lie
• slink
• repose
• sneak
• lie low
• hole up
• evade
• sit tight
• elude
• avoid

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appear
• come out
• show up
• turn up
• materialize

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

• weasel
• sneak
• skunk
• skulker
• snake
• sneaker
• lurker
• spy
• snoop
• slyboots
• stalker
• sharper
• swindler
• snooper
• slicker
• sharpie

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

Recent Examples of skulk

Verb

The seeds of the love triangle between Robert, Blazer, and Invisigal are firmly planted now and ready to bloom into a total shitshow — especially with the blonde hero’s recent breakup with her boyfriend Phenomaman, who’s skulking about in a deep depression. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025

Despite a restraining order against her, Lisa skulks around the twins’ school at drop-off and stalks them in the grocery store. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025

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

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