as in to sneak
to move about in a sly or secret manner like a thief slinking about in the middle of the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word slink distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slink are lurk, skulk, and sneak. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

When is lurk a more appropriate choice than slink?

While the synonyms lurk and slink are close in meaning, lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

When might skulk be a better fit than slink?

In some situations, the words skulk and slink are roughly equivalent. However, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

When can sneak be used instead of slink?

The synonyms sneak and slink are sometimes interchangeable, but sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

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 slink During the trip, Mr. Garrison starts to slink away to Make America Great Again rallies, despite his boyfriend's pleas not to. Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 July 2025 Max spends most of his days cleaning spills, which requires him to slink from room to room with his mop and bucket. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025 All the rape myths that the Me Too movement was supposed to have debunked have slunk their way back into the level of acceptable discourse. Aja Romano, Vox, 2 July 2025 Or is there a subdominant tom that comes slinking through only after a gang of jakes passes by? Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for slink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slink
Verb
  • New ones pop up every week, and old ones often sneak your data back in.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • That may open the door to Arseny Gritsyuk sneaking into the top nine after a strong training camp.
    The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, 62 laps and humid conditions stood in his way, with Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and Lando Norris lurking not far behind.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Beneath such moves often lurks a selfish desire to soothe increasing anxiety, unrest, and potentially even boredom.
    Kurt Strovink, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Currently, Wisconsin law limits only delta-9 THC, allowing other intoxicating compounds to slip through the cracks.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Ferrari is currently battling for the second spot in the Constructors' Championship with Red Bull and Mercedes, after slipping to third.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Trentman lost control of his vehicle, laying the bike down and sliding off the roadway to the left before striking a guardrail.
    Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike mat Pilates, which utilizes an exercise mat as its base, Club Pilates teaches reformer Pilates which uses a specialized machine made up of a sliding carriage, springs, pulleys, a headrest and foot bar.
    Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slink. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slink

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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