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 cheating
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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DiMarco’s participation became a highlight of the event, with the student asking thoughtful questions about overcoming imposter syndrome and handling rejection.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025 -
And that religion, like music, can carry the sound of struggle – but also the hope of one day overcoming the injustices and inequalities of everyday life.—
Ken Chitwood,
The Conversation,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Lancers won their conference tournament by defeating Utah Tech and Utah Valley, with both matches going to penalty kicks.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
10 Nov. 2025
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Ole Miss wound up defeating Oklahoma 34-26 in Norman.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But like his predecessor, this Frankenstein is just as obsessed with immortality and cheating death through science.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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Gen Z is 'monkey barring' — not cheating.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The windproof and thermal wool blend fabric is the perfect shell to protect you on the many fall days in Paris, as the whipping wind adds an unexpected cool factor while strolling around town.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Strong, whipping winds are expected to continue across Jamaica throughout the night.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Musk, a sci-fi fan, has long been focused on humanity colonizing Mars and mastering space travel.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Nov. 2025
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The mastering guy gets more lines than the entire E Street Band.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rather than rob the story of its teeth, this enabled me to explore the pain, loneliness and personal demons of my characters with sympathy rather than stinging bite.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Seawater keeps the jellyfish’s stinging capsules inert.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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An art conservator who'd prefer to be immersed in detail work, Sarah is bombing as the host of a dinner party where her entrepreneur husband (Tom Riley) hopes to impress an obnoxious prospective investor (Tom Goodman-Hill) when a literal explosive goes off in her neighborhood.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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Trump has often expressed verbal frustration with Putin, accusing him of making positive diplomatic noises before bombing Ukrainian civilians again, but until now had avoided taking direct action.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With mixer on medium speed, gradually add heavy cream, 1/2 cup at a time, beating until combined after each addition, 1 to 2 minutes total.—
Amanda Holstein,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
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On Saturday, that meant beating the Syracuse Orange 38-10 at Hard Rock Stadium.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Skunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunking. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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