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
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
  • 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
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
Verb
  • Track how often your products appear in assistant answers, and track launch-window products apart from the catalog average, because the aggregate hides the cohort at risk.
    Srijith Ravikumar, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • That way the top of the boots hides beneath the hem and peeks out just enough to elongate your legs.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The disease, which spreads through bites and scratches from infected animals, is most commonly carried by bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks.
    Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • In Texas, rabies has been detected mostly in bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes, according to the state health department.
    Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Inside the glass vial lies the successor to the French company’s award-winning hair tonic, amped up with research into how the scalp’s microbiome influences your locks.
    Dan Michel, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2026
  • While Boone and Blowing Rock often attract most of the fall season crowds, just down the road lies Banner Elk, a hidden gem in the North Carolina mountains.
    Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At one point, the two were close enough that Bessette Kennedy wrote Radziwill a note specifically asking her to get rid of her Gap sneakers.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Modeled on the premium display systems used to house art and memorabilia, the trunks positioned the sneakers as objects worth collecting.
    Alison Bringé, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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 snakes are named for their distinctive yellow underside, which contrasts dramatically with their darker top half.
    Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Other Animals While you may be tempted to blame other animals such as opossums or snakes, or even coyotes for making holes or burrows in your yard, these creatures are more likely to use existing animal holes for their dens.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Skulks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulks. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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