1
: a slender upright object or supporting or connecting part
especially
: peduncle
2
a
: the main stem of an herbaceous plant often with its dependent parts
b
: a part of a plant (such as a petiole or stipe) that supports another
stalked; stalking; stalks
1
: to pursue by stalking
2
: to go through (an area) in search of prey or quarry
stalk the woods for deer
3
: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment
Synonyms
Examples of stalk in a Sentence
Verb
a movie about a detective being stalked by a killer
This is the time of year when hunters are stalking the woods for deer.
She called the police because her ex-boyfriend was stalking her.
She angrily stalked out of the room.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 23 May 2024
The bioluminescent bulb at the tip of the fish’s stalk is called an esca.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2024
Arundo roots stretch a foot or so deep in normal conditions, but resprout higher up the stalk each time new sediment buries part of the plant.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024
The Wheat Jesus Billboard Located next to I-70 just south of Colby in northwestern Kansas, this artistic billboard depicts Jesus standing in a field holding a stalk of wheat.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2024
The company has partnered with Southwest Airlines to explore whether ethanol can be made more sustainably from corn stalks, leaves and cobs left over after harvest.
—Karina Atkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2024
The 59-year-old picked a firm stalk from the ground.
—Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2024
The asparagus keeps it from feeling heavy and cutting the stalks into small coins miraculously doubles its volume.
—Bon Appétit, 3 May 2024
After setting my destination and flicking a stalk on the steering column, the amusement-park ride started: The wheel turned in my hands and the car rolled forward.
—Jim Sergent, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2024
There are tragic cases of stalking, bullying and harassment.
—Andrew Limbong, NPR, 20 May 2024
Ancient human footprints, preserved in a dry lakebed at White Sands National Park in New Mexico, reveal remarkably vivid vignettes of life in the late Pleistocene: children jumping in puddles and splashing, a group of hunters stalking a giant sloth.
—Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2024
Wise had a restraining order placed on him for domestic violence as well as harassment and stalking charges earlier in 2022, according to Harford County’s State’s Attorney Office.
—Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2024
Some of her detractors have leveled death threats and personal attacks that have veered into stalking.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
But Claudia, ever the hunter, stalks the night in search of other vampires and finds an emaciated, corpse-like figure feasting on soldiers in the woods.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 13 May 2024
In 2016, a man who had been stalking the iCarly alum, 30, lit himself on fire and then fatally shot himself in her front yard.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024
Eight years ago, a man who stalked the iCarly star, 30, lit himself on fire and fatally shot himself in the front yard of her Los Angeles home.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 10 May 2024
Noun
Scout your local farmers market for ruby stalks that are firm, unbent, and bruise-free.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 23 May 2024
The bioluminescent bulb at the tip of the fish’s stalk is called an esca.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2024
Arundo roots stretch a foot or so deep in normal conditions, but resprout higher up the stalk each time new sediment buries part of the plant.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024
The Wheat Jesus Billboard Located next to I-70 just south of Colby in northwestern Kansas, this artistic billboard depicts Jesus standing in a field holding a stalk of wheat.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2024
The company has partnered with Southwest Airlines to explore whether ethanol can be made more sustainably from corn stalks, leaves and cobs left over after harvest.
—Karina Atkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2024
The 59-year-old picked a firm stalk from the ground.
—Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2024
The asparagus keeps it from feeling heavy and cutting the stalks into small coins miraculously doubles its volume.
—Bon Appétit, 3 May 2024
After setting my destination and flicking a stalk on the steering column, the amusement-park ride started: The wheel turned in my hands and the car rolled forward.
—Jim Sergent, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024
Verb
In the 1970s, the infamous Green Chimp apparently stalked south Broward County.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2024
There are tragic cases of stalking, bullying and harassment.
—Andrew Limbong, NPR, 20 May 2024
Ancient human footprints, preserved in a dry lakebed at White Sands National Park in New Mexico, reveal remarkably vivid vignettes of life in the late Pleistocene: children jumping in puddles and splashing, a group of hunters stalking a giant sloth.
—Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2024
Wise had a restraining order placed on him for domestic violence as well as harassment and stalking charges earlier in 2022, according to Harford County’s State’s Attorney Office.
—Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2024
Some of her detractors have leveled death threats and personal attacks that have veered into stalking.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
But Claudia, ever the hunter, stalks the night in search of other vampires and finds an emaciated, corpse-like figure feasting on soldiers in the woods.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 13 May 2024
In 2016, a man who had been stalking the iCarly alum, 30, lit himself on fire and then fatally shot himself in her front yard.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024
Eight years ago, a man who stalked the iCarly star, 30, lit himself on fire and fatally shot himself in the front yard of her Los Angeles home.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 10 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stalk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stalk
Cite this Entry
“Stalk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stalk. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stalk
2 of 3 verb1
a
: to hunt slowly and quietly
stalk deer
b
: to go through (an area) in search of prey
stalk the woods for deer
2
: to walk in a stiff or proud manner
stalked out of the room
3
: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment
stalker
noun
stalk
3 of 3 noun1
: the act of stalking
2
: a stalking manner of walking
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