skunk 1 of 2

noun

ˈskəŋk How to pronounce skunk (audio)
Definition of skunknext
as in dog
a person whose behavior is offensive to others he's nothing but a dirty, rotten skunk

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

skunk

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to bomb
to defeat by a large margin we ended up skunking them, as our goalie was able to prevent the other team from scoring a single goal

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to defeat
to achieve a victory over our football team consistently skunks our traditional rivals Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to sting
to rob by the use of trickery or threats unwilling to let suppliers skunk him, the restaurant owner inspected every shipment before signing off on it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 skunk
Noun
On Martha’s Vineyard, a low-lying fence with chicken wire is installed seasonally at the entrance of a key breeding site for oystercatchers and other seabirds and shorebirds, which has kept skunks and raccoons that eat their eggs off the beach. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 Very Rivian also means yeti graphics on its vehicles, and Easter eggs like a frog and skunk underneath the washer fluid cover up front. — Greg Migliore, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
That means two out of three Minnesota turkey hunters are going skunked this spring. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026 Long-term, however, the S&P 500 has skunked the world index, and shows very sign of continuing to do so. — Larry Light, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for skunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunk
  1. dog
  2. bomb
  3. defeat
  4. sting
  5. clown
  6. smoke
  7. master
  8. cheat
Noun
  • But much of the program dispensed with speed to explore the other skills of the dogs — and their owners.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Pets are welcome—two dogs per room, no weight limit, $100 each—so even your furry friends can enjoy the mountain air.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • The Houthi rebels announced a maritime blockade of the Yemeni government's backer Saudi Arabia -- which has led a coalition that heavily bombed Houthi areas throughout the war.
    — August 18, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The series has drawn early comparisons to True Detective and is quite a different take than the Reynolds film, which famously bombed at the box office.
    — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of bomb
Verb
  • Beyer won the Democratic nomination the same day, defeating four challengers and securing roughly 68% of the vote.
    — Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But the superhero family eventually regains public sympathy for superheroes after defeating the evil Screenslaver (voiced by Catherine Keener).
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Spray the nest from a distance to reduce the chances of being stung.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • More than 3,100 people have been stung at Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beach so far this year, which is at least double last year's total.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of sting
Noun
  • There’s deeply brutal local lore, endless cornfields and teenagers trying to escape a killer clown.
    — Alaina Urquhart, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026
  • An Illinois teen has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly committing a deadly stabbing attack while dressed in a clown outfit.
    — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of clown
Verb
  • During a pat search, officers found a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine on driver Bambi Bryant, police said.
    — Bay City News, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The music video opens with a shot of Kidman, 59, wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette, exiting a car as Troye watches through a cafe window.
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of smoke
Verb
  • But after Hill’s season-ending injury, Raridon has had the difficult task of trying to master all that comes with playing tight end in a complex offense.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Plus, with complex models, getting that authentic BBQ flavor can take time to master.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of master
Verb
  • Not to be cheated in front of the largest assembly of Hall of Famers since the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, Schwarber flew out twice to deep center field.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Princeton University dropped its over century-old Honor Code tradition which let students take their exams without supervision, after an AI cheating scandal rattled the Ivy League institution.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheat

Browse Nearby Words

skull sessions
skunk
skunked
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Cite this Entry

“Skunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunk. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on skunk

Nglish: Translation of skunk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skunk

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