as in dog
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
he's nothing but a dirty, rotten skunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to bomb
to defeat by a large margin
we ended up skunking them, as our goalie was able to prevent the other team from scoring a single goal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to defeat
to achieve a victory over
our football team consistently skunks our traditional rivals Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to sting
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
unwilling to let suppliers skunk him, the restaurant owner inspected every shipment before signing off on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of skunk
Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 June 2025
While deer are the most common animal stuck by vehicles, raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels and countless birds also fall victim.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025
Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
And the fact that he’s getting skunked on a rubberlegs stonefly nymph, which should be automatic, is troubling all three of us.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 25 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skunk
Noun
The types of animals vary, but monkeys, skunks, racoons and crocodiles are the most common, the data shows.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 June 2025
While deer are the most common animal stuck by vehicles, raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels and countless birds also fall victim.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025
Verb
At the diner, Case, now 54, wore a dark-blue button-down, and her predominantly gray mane was skunked with a streak of flaming auburn.
—Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
And the fact that he’s getting skunked on a rubberlegs stonefly nymph, which should be automatic, is troubling all three of us.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 25 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunk
Noun
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Police brought in hundreds of law enforcement personnel with dogs, armored carriers, horses and helicopters that circled overhead.—
Maryclaire Dale, Marc Levy and Michael Rubinkam,
Anchorage Daily News,
13 Sep. 2023
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Responding officers found the dog, and advised the owner to take the dog in.—
cleveland,
cleveland,
13 Sep. 2023
Verb
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Trump said military pilots who successfully bombed Iran will be guests for a flyover of military planes during the patriotic ceremony.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
5 July 2025
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The Twelve-Day War between Israel and Iran in June concluded shortly after the United States intervened by bombing Iranian nuclear sites with 30,000-pound bunker busters dropped by strategic B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
The Dodgers defeated the Yankees in the 2024 World Series four games to one.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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The billionaires will spend endlessly to defeat him.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The bees became aggressive and stung the man multiple times.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
-
Those walking through Aurillac, a quaint French community, were stung over a 30-minute period, with three people in critical condition evacuated to a hospital.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Soto smoked a 105-mph line drive to left field, but Bellinger made a running catch with his glove touching the grass.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
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Sinner smoked Spain's Pedro Martínez, defeating him 6-1, 6-3, 6-1, to reach the Round of 16 at Wimbledon.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Rather than trying to master multiple AI platforms, teachers can start with one tool and thoroughly explore its capabilities.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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After a spa treatment or a dip in the ocean, guests can learn how to string fragrant plumeria leis or master the art of hula in open-air pavilions.—
John Wogan,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Unlike the previous Final Destination Bloodlines films, however, death not only comes for the specific individuals who cheated death, but for generations of relatives in the survivors’ bloodlines.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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Call to police started over cheating feud According to the criminal complaints: The woman began fighting the day before the shooting because of Jones' infidelity.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
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An evil clown turned serial killer who terrorizes a fictional New York City borough during Halloween and Christmas will join a maniacal lineup of murderers, mutants and monsters during this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
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White-stripe nails Circus-stripe nails Just like a striped Big Top tent, this circus set is complete with stars and clowns.—
Dominic Cadogan,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunk. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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