skulk 1 of 2

1
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner I thought I saw someone skulking about in the shadows

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2
as in to hide
to remain out of sight the animal control officers caught the stray cat that had been skulking behind some trash cans

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skulk

2 of 2

noun

as in weasel
someone who acts in a sly and secret manner were surprised to discover the skulk stealing from the garden was a raccoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word skulk distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of skulk are lurk, slink, and sneak. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

When is it sensible to use lurk instead of skulk?

While in some cases nearly identical to skulk, lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

Where would slink be a reasonable alternative to skulk?

The synonyms slink and skulk are sometimes interchangeable, but slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

In what contexts can sneak take the place of skulk?

The words sneak and skulk can be used in similar contexts, 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 skulk
Verb
Gaga debuted it with an unforgettable SNL performance, skulking through the Studio 8H hallways like a woman possessed. Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025 Birdwatchers can keep their eyes on the skies in search of Eurasian sparrowhawks and peregrine falcons, while truly fortunate visitors might be able to catch a glimpse of an Italian wolf skulking through the park in search of prey. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 Red, skulking around the lower edge of the painting, seems subject to gravity’s laws in ways that blue is not. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 Some of the Jurassic giants took their sweet time, moving in fits and starts; others might have skulked more urgently. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skulk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulk
Verb
  • Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.
    Real-Time news team, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
  • Though research isn’t conclusive, studies suggest regularly consuming these sweeteners could mess with your microbiome, reducing your levels of supportive gut bugs while elevating the numbers of not-so-beneficial bacteria lurking therein.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • How Was Antonio Navarro Murdered? At 7:30 a.m. on the morning of Aug. 16, 2017, as Antonio was leaving for work, Salvador hid in the couple’s building garage, according to TIME.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Ukraine was able to smuggle drones deep into Russia by hiding them in the tops of flatbed trucks, which parked near military bases before the drones lifted off to attack planes on the runway.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • In the heat of its bloodlust, the weasel had killed the entire flock.
    Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
  • There’s narrative justice in lumping him with the weasel, the depraved, the criminal, the pedophile.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But eventually, the neighbor realized Mystery had been sneaking out against his wishes, as Mystery is an indoor cat only.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
  • The Pacers, meanwhile, have solidified themselves as title contenders after sneaking their way into the conference finals last year.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Read Next: The Best Bass Flies As the bug lay silent on the water, a sullen chug echoed out of the darkness and Larry’s rod, silhouetted against the night sky, sprang into a dancing arc.
    Ted Janes, Outdoor Life, 29 May 2025
  • Ice and rock several dozens of yards thick and about a mile long now lie in the valley.
    Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • That included building a short block wall to separate the deck from the yard — and prevent skunks, possums and other critters from creeping under the deck — build an open fence to surround the property, and add a swale to retain rainwater.
    Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Then other critters came to feast on the skunk’s leftovers, the incredible video shows.
    Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Just a few weeks ago, Pippen encountered a snake inside the place.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 31 May 2025
  • Bob Wexler, a local expert birder, will provide information about birds and their habitats. — A wrangler from Gatorland will bring alligators, snakes, lizards and more to the library during a Gatorland Live event at 11 a.m. and noon June 6.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skulk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulk. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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