SKULKS Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

skulks 1 of 2

noun

plural of skulk

as in sneaks

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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skulks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of skulk

as in lurks

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in hides

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 skulks

Noun

Frank discovers Lee’s meddling and skulks into Arthur’s apartment and murders him. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025 Despite a restraining order against her, Lisa skulks around the twins’ school at drop-off and stalks them in the grocery store. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025

Verb

With Irene threatening Billie, Joe skulks back to his cement cell, but hears Irene torturing Billie in the next room. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulks

Noun

This combination of music and entertainment sneaks education in where kids least expect it.

— Parents, Parents, 10 July 2026
In this case, a creator pairs her sneaks with a graphic tee.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 16 June 2026

Definition of sneaks

Verb

Enjoy this underappreciated gem—just beware the Frogman, who lurks in Stephen’s mind and on every page.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
But a bigger story lurks deeper in Tuesday’s numbers that could spell trouble for Republicans in November.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lurks

Verb

Walruses were once hunted in vast numbers, for their blubber, hides and ivory, driving them close to extinction in Svalbard’s waters, before hunting was banned in 1952.

— Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
There clearly continues to be something very evocative about the idea that all the mundane pop-culture ephemera from one’s youth hides something darker.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hides

Verb

This is changing with the increasing importance of space from a military standpoint, but for most presidents civil space lies fairly low on the priority list.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 30 Aug. 2026
Yet perhaps Gothenburg’s biggest advantage as a destination lies just beyond the center.

— David Nikel, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of lies

Noun

Lastly, the sneaker’s marbled outsole has been given a glow-in-the-dark treatment — a longtime staple of Nike’s Halloween sneakers.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
To stay on theme with a sporty look, these Brooks sneakers are a solid option that offer support, cushioning, and a lightweight feel.

— Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sneakers

Noun

There are leaders, lurkers, peacekeepers, instigators, and the person who only surfaces to drop an occasional thumbs-up.

— Sam Reed, Glamour, 18 May 2026
The Cubs and Padres are well clear of any lurkers for the top two spots, but the Mets have the last ticket in for now, with San Francisco, Arizona and Cincinnati all within 2 1/2 games of them.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

Definition of lurkers

Noun

Rather than killing the snakes found on its property, Cat Haven relocates them to areas farther from the cats, according to Anderson.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Not a forest by any means, but a small woods where there are squirrels and chipmunks, probably snakes and skunks, rabbits and, now and then, passing through on some mysterious transient route, a deer or a family of deer.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of snakes

Browse Nearby Words

skulking

skulks

skull

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“Skulks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulks. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of skulks

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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