SKULKING Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

skulking

verb

Definition of skulking next

present participle of skulk

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

Relevance

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

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 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 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 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 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

Yet, lurking on social media, the appointment unleashed the all-too-familiar torrent of hate, sexism and misogyny.

— Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
For the first time in decades, the captains abandon familiar fishing grounds to chase a rare breed of Red King Crab lurking in the frozen waters of the far North.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026