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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
  • The Giants ran a modified version of the tush push, with 300-pound fullback Pat Ricard motioning behind Dart to help the quarterback surge forward on his sneaks.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Her ballet sneaks of choice are Vivaia’s Lexi Sneakers, which are a more structured, sporty take on the brand’s beloved extra-slim Sneakerinas—a shoe worn by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Bella Hadid and Julia Roberts.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of sneaks
Verb
  • Clements sets the scene with lively pop music and excellent period-specific costuming, though darkness lurks beneath the funky 1970s groove.
    — Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
  • The legend begins with Cardellini’s Voorhees, as something still lurks in the woods, only knowing how to kill.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of lurks
Verb
  • Rank buildings by attrition instead of averaging across the district because the average is exactly what hides a building in crisis.
    — Kellie Lauth, Forbes.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Along the way, Bryan gets bit by a zombie but hides the wound, which slowly infects him.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of hides
Noun
  • Rabies is spread through bites and scratches from infected animals — most often bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks — and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, though a four-to-five-shot vaccine given after exposure is nearly 100% effective.
    — The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Pittsburgh's two new skunk sisters are one step closer to getting their names, thanks to the internet.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of skunks
Verb
  • Finally, at the end of the hallway – and indeed the end of the home – lies the Winslow's bedroom.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Set in the mountains of Ashe County, West Jefferson lies within the North Carolina High Country, a seven-county region in the state’s northwestern corner.
    — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of lies
Noun
  • The Instagram ad photo showed K-pop singer Karina wearing a skirt and holding a pair of Chuck 70 X sneakers.
    — Dave Collins, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Lawrence paired hers with a cardigan, jeans and Adidas sneakers, while Carpenter dressed it up with a white fur coat.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 21 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
  • There were rattlesnakes and vipers in the rest of Canada, but no snakes here in except the harmless garter snake.
    — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
  • But by now, thousands of examples have been reported, Feschotte said, in species that run the gamut from fungal pathogens to snakes to cows.
    — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 21 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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