skulks 1 of 2

noun

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

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

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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
  1. sneaks
  2. lurks
  3. hides
  4. skunks
  5. lies
  6. sneakers
  7. lurkers
  8. snakes
Noun
  • Available in several pastel hues and patterns, these high-vamp canvas sneaks look ultracomfy and flattering.
    — Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Sinatra and Dean Martin croon softly on the speakers (until the occasional Charli xcx track sneaks in).
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of sneaks
Verb
  • The Spurs superstar lurks down low near the basket, allowing guards to pressure aggressively on the perimeter.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of lurks
Verb
  • Rank buildings by attrition instead of averaging across the district because the average is exactly what hides a building in crisis.
    — Kellie Lauth, Forbes.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Along the way, Bryan gets bit by a zombie but hides the wound, which slowly infects him.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of hides
Noun
  • In North Carolina, rabies cases are most commonly found in raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats, Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health and Health Administration Rafael Vieira told UNC Charlotte.
    — Eva Flowe October 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In California, bats and skunks are the animals that most often get rabies, according to the state health department.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of skunks
Verb
  • Marina Warner Possessed of Alchemystic Powers Ithell Colquhoun improvised with Surrealist and occult divinatory techniques in her paintings, and also in her writing—and in this lies her true originality.
    — Conor Heffernan, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Culver City secured an agreement with the operator of the Inglewood Oil Field to shut down the part that lies within its borders by 2029.
    — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of lies
Noun
  • Parker, who started his career as a shoe designer, would sometimes sit in meetings sketching sneakers in his notebook.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Offering max-level cushioning without the bulk, these sneakers are easy to pair with plenty of pieces in your travel wardrobe and add a dose of personality that’s bound to draw compliments.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of sneakers
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
Definition of lurkers
Noun
  • Perhaps the most striking styles in the lineup stood on curvaceous, sculptural heels resembling slithering snakes.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The snakes live on the ground and can weigh more than 45 pounds, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of snakes

Browse Nearby Words

skulking
skulks
skull
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Cite this Entry

“Skulks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulks. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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