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
  • As iconography that could unify through recognition that diversity lurks in everyone, the art was truly ahead of its time, and has become more necessary than ever.
    Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Jamon has left the past behind, but danger still lurks.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Chasing Perfect Branding Instead Of Customers Another version of the same problem hides inside marketing and design.
    Erhan Kaya, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Instead of correcting the error, the scheming matriarch hides him in the attic and collects a life insurance payout.
    Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • After several weeks at the center, the skunks each reached their necessary weight, and organization officials decided the skunks were ready to return to their natural habitat.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • The other rabid animals were five bats and one each cat, coyote, skunk and woodchuck.
    Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Within the large 45 mm rose-gold case lies a black-and-gold dial inspired by Johnson’s own tribal-style tattoo, which pays homage to his Samoan roots.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 July 2026
  • But beneath this charming Midwestern façade lies a fierce, rebellious soul.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • The Marty Supreme actor wore a sporty tracksuit with the team emblem and blue, white, and red panelling, plus a pair of oval sunglasses and silver sneakers.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026
  • On July 19, a select number of Foot Locker stores in key markets as well as on its e-commerce site will introduce an edited lineup of Salomon sneakers across three of the French mountain sports brand’s central footwear franchises.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 15 July 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
  • Both snakes bit him on Saturday night at UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
  • When the policeman tried to arrest him, Underwood threatened him with a bag of snakes.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Skulks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulks. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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