skulk 1 of 2

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

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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
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 The Serious-Minded Coach would hide behind the cloak of plausible deniability and let his agent do the dirty work before skulking out of town to his next gig. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025 Soon after My Bloody Valentine skulked into the Wembley Arena spotlights, the initial roar of some 12,000 fans abated. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skulk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulk
Verb
  • Others argue that the maze needs a minotaur, and point to a mysterious creature that has lurked within the Backrooms since the beginning.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • But beneath the smooth surface, major engineering problems have lurked since it was constructed in the 1920s.
    New York Times, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • If not too bad, it can be ignored and new growth should hide the blemishes.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
  • Buddy was hiding in the bushes on the side of a desolate highway when he was found by a good Samaritan and brought to a rescue.
    Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Skunks are mammals that are more like weasels than rodents.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The little animals that will come to be emblematic of the 2026 Games are stoats, extremely cute critters that in real life are related to the weasel and the otter.
    Mark Scaglione, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Autonomous task forces of drones could be assigned to defend against specific threats — Russian subs sneaking into the Atlantic Ocean, say, or a possible amphibious landing on Taiwan.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
  • Still, there have been occasional opportunities to sneak in some bigger names.
    Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • The story, set in rural California in the 1990s, opens as seventeen-year-old Cal finds the body of his high school classmate, Nora, lying across the train tracks.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
  • Others lay flat on the cold desert sand, getting tips on how to make their mobile phones take long-exposure pictures to see the galaxy gleaming overhead.
    Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • Fleas are carried constantly into your yard by wildlife that passes through, such as skunks, raccoons, opossums, mice, and deer, says Benson.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
  • An encounter with a skunk is every pet owner's worst nightmare.
    Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Hauser said the crew once paused filming at a location after finding 40 to 50 rattlesnakes in the area, and Reilly said the snakes were relocated unharmed.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
  • As the snakes leap, jump and slither in a bid to escape, Kennedy manages to grab one in each hand, narrowly dodging their attempts to snag a mouthful of his skin.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 28 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Skulk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulk. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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