1
as in overcoming
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
Relevance
2
as in defeating
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 stinging
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunking
Verb
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He was reminded that his career had been shaped by overcoming doubts and slights going back to high school, when he was offered the same amount of Division I football scholarships that were offered to the average sportswriter who covers him.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025 -
But by the end, in its rush, the movie still hasn’t quite come up with a point of view on whether McCartney really got over his bust-up with Lennon with a little help from his Wings friends, or whether forming a band was ultimately incidental to overcoming any lingering separation anxiety.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Della Maddalena claimed the UFC welterweight title in May 2025, defeating then-champion Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision at UFC 315.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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The Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in surprisingly easy fashion, so maybe a long trip won’t impact the Chargers negatively but bind them closer together during what looms as a very long business trip.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This interaction damages skin cells and can trigger irritation, redness, stinging or burning.—
Leslie Baumann,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
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Lapham also talked about the high of winning the AFC Championship in 1981, followed by the stinging loss to San Francisco in Super Bowl 16.—
Beryl Love,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Milwaukee mother who claimed her stepfather threw her baby from a balcony has now been charged with child abuse herself, accused of whipping her younger brothers.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Olbinski ran to his car, while others hunkered down and braved the brutal winds and whipping sand.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Moving forward, mastering a personal podcast could replace soft-focus biographies or wonky books as a way for politicians to increase their profiles.—
David Bauder,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
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For wardrobe stylist Kathryne Cole, mastering the fit is key to styling wide-leg jeans for your body type.—
Jessie Quinn,
Flow Space,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Park Min-young played a timid wife seeking revenge on her cheating man in Marry My Husband.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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The basic logic of Article XIII is to promote fair play among the 30 teams and prevent teams from cheating.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Jays spent much of their 2025 rise beating up on the Yankees, and three September games at Yankee Stadium presented a chance for one last jab.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Needless to say, beating the Jets was a good feeling for the 41-year-old signal caller.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When not plucking away at a keyboard, Madison teaches yoga and mountain bikes with her two Australian shepherds, Cholla and Poppy, through Missoula's Rattlesnake Wilderness.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
29 Aug. 2025
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It’s haltingly played, like a child plucking out the notes, to emphasize John’s deep connection to his daughter.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
20 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Skunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunking. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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