skew

1 of 3

verb

ˈskyü How to pronounce skew (audio)
skewed; skewing; skews
Synonyms of skewnext

intransitive verb

1
: to take an oblique course
2
: to look askance

transitive verb

1
: to make, set, or cut on the skew
2
: to distort especially from a true value or symmetrical form

skew

2 of 3

adjective

1
: set, placed, or running obliquely : slanting
2
: more developed on one side or in one direction than another : not symmetrical

skew

3 of 3

noun

: a deviation from a straight line : slant

Examples of skew in a Sentence

Verb They were accused of skewing the facts to fit their theory. He accused them of skewing the rules in their favor.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Following Jonas’s post, crowds at Whiskey Myers concerts have skewed younger. — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026 The youth-skewing network is the highest-profile casualty of the BBC‘s massive cost-cutting operation. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
Naturally, some heavy hitting outliers like Bridgerton and The Handmaid’s Tale contribute to that skew, but still this suggests that there’s plenty of room for more in the space. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 Virtually any sci-fi setting out there has some shape or form of racing; The Expanse has an entire high-speed racing league that helps set the backdrop for the franchise, and even the likes of Speed Racer skew heavily toward the fantastical. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skew

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to escape, run obliquely, from Anglo-French *eskiuer, eschiver to escape, avoid — more at eschew

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1688, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skew was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing skew

Rhymes for skew

See All Rhymes for skew

Browse Nearby Words

skevish
skew
skew aileron
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skew. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

skew

verb
ˈskyü
1
: to take a slanting course : move or turn aside : swerve
2
: to distort from a true value or symmetrical form
skewed the facts to fit their theory

More from Merriam-Webster on skew

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for skew

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