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

With Irene threatening Billie, Joe skulks back to his cement cell, but hears Irene torturing Billie in the next room. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026

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

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