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

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

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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
Gaga debuted it with an unforgettable SNL performance, skulking through the Studio 8H hallways like a woman possessed. Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025 Birdwatchers can keep their eyes on the skies in search of Eurasian sparrowhawks and peregrine falcons, while truly fortunate visitors might be able to catch a glimpse of an Italian wolf skulking through the park in search of prey. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 Red, skulking around the lower edge of the painting, seems subject to gravity’s laws in ways that blue is not. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 Some of the Jurassic giants took their sweet time, moving in fits and starts; others might have skulked more urgently. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skulk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulk
Verb
  • Mars will appear in the constellation Cancer in the western sky, while Jupiter will lurk close to the horizon, setting just a few hours after the sun.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 May 2025
  • Probably not as many as are lurking on your medicine cabinet shelves.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • The boy hides aloft in the Sycamore Gap tree's branches.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • Each level is also absolutely crawling with secret collectibles hidden in various nooks and crannies, which often tease you with a glimpse through a hole in some impassable wall or rock formation.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Deal or No Deal Island star Seychelle Cordero missed vaping and drinking Dr. Will repeatedly referred to you as a weasel.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Here on Earth Prime, nine years after a weasel met a particle accelerator and everything started to get weird, the GTI shines as almost the perfect blend of performance and everyday practicality while keeping the footprint small and the sticker price affordable.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • On Tuesday, Leo sneaked into the headquarters of his Augustinian order right off St. Peter’s Square.
    Mitra Taj, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon host and the singer — a.k.a Abel Tesfaye — snuck to Fordham University, where its graduating class of 2025 was gathered to celebrate.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The southern end of the Continental Divide Trail – the longest of the country's National Scenic Trails, running 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada – now lies within the area controlled by the Army.
    Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • Portrayed as cannibals, child-killers, and corpse-defilers, enemies become existential threats and the worst imaginable offenders, lying beyond the pale of redemption.
    Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 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, 7 May 2025
  • While pesticides sprayed on crops and the Varroa mite both pose major risks for honey bees, bears and skunks can also be destructive predators to colonies, according to Hesbach.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Testing their ability to parse through patchy visual information, the puzzles prompted participants to identify ambiguous black-and-white images of objects and of animals, such as snakes, snails, and spiders.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 16 May 2025
  • The exact location of the den complex are withheld for the snakes' safety, according to Bachhuber.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skulk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulk. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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