1
as in lurking
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 hiding
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skulking
Post-Order 66 Jedi are often just lesser versions of Obi-Wan Kenobi or Yoda, skulking around in swamps and deserts, but this duo can't seem to stay away from the action.
—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
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
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
No longer limited to skulking around on a bar cart, metallic finishes like aluminum and brass are in the midst of a dazzling comeback.
—
Kathryn O’Shea-Evans,
Robb Report,
9 Nov. 2025
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
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
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
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
No longer limited to skulking around on a bar cart, metallic finishes like aluminum and brass are in the midst of a dazzling comeback.
—
Kathryn O’Shea-Evans,
Robb Report,
9 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulking
Verb
-
Unbeknownst to its more than 800 members, Flod had been lurking in the public group for years, silently celebrating each new mention of Pinky.
-
Messi, Mbappe and Kane will battle for this award, although Dembele is lurking, too.
Verb
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The country’s singular role in hiding Jews from their Nazi occupiers is well documented.
-
The anti-Trump rage, the surge of younger, more educated progressive voters, the hunger for someone willing to fight on affordability with policy, message, and tone, in Albany and Washington — all of it was hiding in plain sight for anyone looking at the data rather than the tired, old playbook.
Verb
-
His one rule for guests is to chase whatever task is nagging at them, but to resist sneaking in actual work.
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As for oats, consider sneaking in some extra protein to round out their nutritional profile.
Verb
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Aabria, by contrast, leans on personality and connection, clasping hands with the jurors and complimenting them before calmly lying about the rules of the bra contest and her victory.
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Anderson is one of the best deep-lying ball-players in the Premier League right now.
Cite this Entry
“Skulking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulking. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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