skulks 1 of 2

noun

plural of skulk
as in sneaks
someone who acts in a sly and secret manner were surprised to discover the skulk stealing from the garden was a raccoon

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skulks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of skulk
1
as in lurks
to move about in a sly or secret manner I thought I saw someone skulking about in the shadows

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in hides
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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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 skulks
Noun
Frank discovers Lee’s meddling and skulks into Arthur’s apartment and murders him. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025 Despite a restraining order against her, Lisa skulks around the twins’ school at drop-off and stalks them in the grocery store. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulks
  1. sneaks
  2. lurks
  3. hides
  4. skunks
  5. lies
  6. sneakers
  7. lurkers
  8. snakes
Noun
  • This combination of music and entertainment sneaks education in where kids least expect it.
    — Parents, Parents, 10 July 2026
  • In this case, a creator pairs her sneaks with a graphic tee.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 16 June 2026
Definition of sneaks
Verb
  • But in the brave heart of this fictional protagonist, there lurks a righteous threshing machine, ripe for a Great Rebellion in writer-director Paul Greengrass’ latest feature.
    — Michael Phillips, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • His line of work has taught him that danger lurks everywhere.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of lurks
Verb
  • Its privacy protection hides user data from trackers and activity analyzers.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Under the guise of paying homage to the bouquet of flowers his grandmother crocheted for his sister on her wedding day, Joseph added a matching purple bouquet which conveniently hides the super long crotch.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hides
Noun
  • The National Aviary wants your help naming its two new skunk sisters.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • State officials say four goats from Farm Adventures Mobile Petting Zoo were likely exposed by a skunk that went into the pen where they're kept.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of skunks
Verb
  • Among them is Dugi Otok, said Mark Palmer in The Times – a verdant, 26-mile-long sliver of limestone that lies an easy ferry ride from the fascinating harbour town of Zadar.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The bigger concern lies at the other end, where Spurs continue to struggle to carve out chances, something De Zerbi will need to address quickly.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of lies
Noun
  • On a network where women once seemed to have a uniform of bright sheath dresses, Jessica Tarlov is wearing sneakers.
    — Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Buying a pair of sneakers cosigned by your favorite celebrity or athlete—say, Zendaya’s collaboration with On, which Shelton recently wore, or Alcaraz’s Nike kit designed in partnership with Travis Scott—is a way in.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of sneakers
Noun
  • There are leaders, lurkers, peacekeepers, instigators, and the person who only surfaces to drop an occasional thumbs-up.
    — Sam Reed, Glamour, 18 May 2026
  • The Cubs and Padres are well clear of any lurkers for the top two spots, but the Mets have the last ticket in for now, with San Francisco, Arizona and Cincinnati all within 2 1/2 games of them.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of lurkers
Noun
  • With interiors largely shot inside Hossain’s own house in Dhaka, the film is filled with striking shots of animals — lizards galore, snakes, monkeys, and mosquitoes.
    — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The snakes came to their audition thanks to Nancy Novograd and her company All Tame Animals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of snakes

Browse Nearby Words

skulking
skulks
skull
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Cite this Entry

“Skulks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulks. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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