SKULKED Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

skulked

verb

past tense of skulk

as in lurked

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in hid

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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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 skulked One roach skulked under a food prep table. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025 Soon after My Bloody Valentine skulked into the Wembley Arena spotlights, the initial roar of some 12,000 fans abated. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Nov. 2025 Money speaks, the land listens, where the Anarchist skulked, where the horsethief plied his trade, we fishers of Americans will cast our nets of perfect ten-acre mesh, leveled and varmint-proofed, ready to build on. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025 The models skulked through The Box like zombies from a past life. — Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulked

Verb

But trouble lurked in a left-field box seat — and at shortstop.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Former landlords lurked in bushes or on roofs or waited in cars outside our home.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of lurked

Verb

In 2026, Southlake Carroll snuck into the playoffs with a 6-8 District 4-6A record, continuing a playoff streak that began in 1999.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
On fourth-and-four — fourth-and-ballgame, fourth-and-win streak, fourth-and-dethroning Big Ten royalty Ohio State — Marsh snuck to the left edge of the end zone.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of sneaked

Verb

Authorities said Morley, 28, slipped through a fence in his prison clothes late Sunday night before walking to the nearby farm and stealing the truck.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
The stock has slipped 13% in 2026 to date, at about $64 in mid-day trading Wednesday.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of slipped

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skulk

skulked

skulker

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“Skulked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulked. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of skulked

verb

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