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

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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

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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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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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulks
Noun
  • Jason Kelce noted Bills quarterback Josh Allen scored twice against the Chiefs on sneaks.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
  • About six minutes later, Dawson Knox caught a 30-yarder in the second quarter to set up the first of Allen’s two TD sneaks.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But beneath this viral joke among African Americans lurks a hidden history of slavery, voodoo, and rebellion.
    Essence, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, a manipulative judge, Roland Brack (Nicholas Pinnock), lurks around the fringes, hoping to seduce or even blackmail the electrically attractive Hedda.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • It was utilized across many ancient civilizations for artwork, as well as preserving and tanning animal hides.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Basil, of course, is far from perfect, a rude, neurotic, accident-prone manager who insults guests, hides his gambling winnings from his wife and organizes an elaborate impersonation of her when his surprise anniversary party backfires.
    Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rodents, possums, and skunks show up to snack on the flesh and seeds.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
  • While striped skunk is edible, Coalition Brewing warns against its strong odor, scavenger diet and susceptibility to parasites.
    Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As a stocky playmaker who rarely sprints and often reduces the game to walking pace in an increasingly breakneck sport populated by iron men, Cherki’s timing of arrival into English football is where the dichotomy lies.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Espace Louis Vuitton New York, the exhibition space, lies at the top of the boutique and is only accessible to the public by appointment.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • His early online videos documented low-budget trips, including one of him trekking videos of him trekking in the Indian Himalayas in sneakers.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
  • James Harden‘s signature sneakers from Adidas typically release early into a new year, but reports indicate his newest model will arrive before 2026 comes to a close.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are 44 species of native snakes in Florida, but just six are venomous.
    Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
  • But despite their comparatively small numbers, elapids like mambas, cobras, and rinkhals are among the world’s deadliest snakes.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skulks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulks. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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