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
  • 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
  • What starts as a mystery becomes an existential horror film, a harrowing journey into a landscape in which death lurks around every corner.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 23 May 2026
  • But the most worrisome aspect of any collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda is the supermassive black hole that lurks at the center of each.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • Gibbard hides from rain, opts for Irish goodbyes, and resorts to giving himself pep talks to drag himself out of bed.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 June 2026
  • Even Adam’s irritable female boss, Suzie (Sasheer Zamata), hides under a people-pleasing mask.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 3 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
  • Rescuers described that location, which lies at an elevation of 17,999 feet, as a treacherous glacier known for its towering ice blocks and deep crevasses.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 4 June 2026
  • Wrangell Island lies at the mouth of the Stikine River, and the town is the point of departure for the river service to Telegraph Creek, 165 miles upstream.
    Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 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
  • White pans over to the eaves and snaps a photo, where a couple of snakes are seen, quite literally hanging out.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 5 June 2026
  • Still, there’s a sense that the story has expanded to fill the space, with plotlines for all and crazy side trips (snakes!
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Skulks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulks. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

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