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
  • But a bigger story lurks deeper in Tuesday’s numbers that could spell trouble for Republicans in November.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Georgia lurks as well — Kirby Smart seems to coach up a menacing defense every year.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The lawsuit accuses Meta of contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features that addict children to its platforms and hides these harms from the public.
    Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Furthermore, cash's nominal safety hides inflation risk, eroding purchasing power.
    Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal, such as a groundhog, cat, fox, raccoon, skunk or bat.
    Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Although there are various ways to deal with skunks, one common product people often turn to is Pine-Sol.
    The Spruce, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Across the river lies the Theban Necropolis, home to the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Queen Hatshepsut’s spectacular mortuary temple and the towering figures of the Colossi of Memnon.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • But perhaps the project’s greatest surprise lies underground in the form of a theatrical wellness complex.
    Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Reynolds sees the same versatility play out across a single day, from denim and sneakers in the morning to a black cocktail dress by evening, the necklace adjusting its register without ever losing its polish.
    Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, and more stars have stepped out in Adidas sneakers.
    Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 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
  • Cottonmouths — semiaquatic snakes also known as water moccasins — are in the top three most commonly encountered venomous snakes in Arkansas, Davis said.
    Devon Henderson, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Several dogs were bitten by rattlesnakes in a Westminster open space over the weekend as hot summer weather drove both residents and snakes outside, city officials said.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Skulks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulks. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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