skulks 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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 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
Noun
  • These sneaks utilize the latest running innovations to ensure your kicks improve performance while still looking stylish.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Wear them to work with a pair of cute loafers and a spring blouse, or dress them down with a tee and your favorite sneaks for a comfy-casual look.
    Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Yet despite its reputation, this isn’t a bloodthirsty murder-bird that lurks in the rainforests waiting for its next victim.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
  • At the heart of our home galaxy lurks a gigantic black hole that’s more than a trillion times heavier than Earth, with all that mass stuffed into a region that is about 2,000 times wider than our planet.
    Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Namely, the Bavarian flag hides a red Nazi flag, and someone also covered up soldiers, Nazi salutes by passersby, and wreaths on the Mahnmal der Bewegung monument.
    Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
  • This state-level scorecard hides a troublesome trend in early 2026.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • Around ponds, frogs and toads will be eaten, and when worms emerge after rainfall, skunks will eagerly feed on those.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
  • Things start with dead skunks in a pool and only get (far, far) worse from there.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Freddrell’s ultimate passion lies at the intersection of mass media and entrepreneurship.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
  • Yet, beneath the celebration lies an uncomfortable truth.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • While knee-high boots are ideal for a concert or a shopping day, don’t be afraid to go casual via thin sneakers or flip-flops.
    India Roby, Glamour, 8 June 2026
  • The lawsuit also states that officers are allowed to wear more casual clothes on Fridays, such as sneakers, jeans and even Kansas City Chiefs apparel.
    Ben Wheeler June 8, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
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
Noun
  • The achievement marks a new milestone in the fight against the giant snakes, which are considered one of the greatest threats to the Everglades ecosystem because of their ability to prey on mammals, birds and other native wildlife.
    Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
  • Overhead looms The Claw, a four-sided mass that arcs more than 90 feet (27 meters) into the air and features lights, speakers, thick snakes of wiring and four large screens so fans not seated right next to the Octagon can follow the cage fighting below.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on skulks

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster