Thesaurus results for SLINK

Q: How is the word 'slink' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slink are lurk , skulk , and sneak . While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention. // slunk around the corner

Q: When is 'lurk' a more appropriate choice than 'slink'?

While the synonyms lurk and slink are close in meaning, lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent. // suspicious men lurking in alleyways

Q: When might 'skulk' be a better fit than 'slink'?

In some situations, the words skulk and slink are roughly equivalent. However, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent. // something skulking in the shadows

Q: When can 'sneak' be used instead of 'slink'?

The synonyms sneak and slink are sometimes interchangeable, but sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods. // sneaked out early

slink

verb

ˈsliŋk

Definition of slink

as in to sneak

to move about in a sly or secret manner like a thief slinking about in the middle of the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word slink distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slink are lurk, skulk, and sneak. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

When is lurk a more appropriate choice than slink?

While the synonyms lurk and slink are close in meaning, lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

When might skulk be a better fit than slink?

In some situations, the words skulk and slink are roughly equivalent. However, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

When can sneak be used instead of slink?

The synonyms sneak and slink are sometimes interchangeable, 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 slink At night, guard dogs and surveillance teams monitor the grounds year-round, because catastrophe at Wimbledon comes in the form of a two-foot-long fox slinking onto a court and marking its territory. — Nick Pachelli, Time, 11 July 2026 The doubts that surrounded this team have slunk away, one by one, replaced by reasons for optimism. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 1 July 2026 The sumptuous production, directed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson with solidarity for Cleage’s characters, provides a marvelous showcase for Woodward to slink around on Beowulf Boritt’s glamorous five-star set in costume designer Emilio Sosa’s inspired Pucci-esque outfits. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 Trump has had to slink back to Washington without much to show except empty talk about friendship with whatever dictator has just run circles around him. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for slink

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slink

Verb

The mini bar—located inside a gorgeous wooden cabinet—was filled with local spirits like pox, a Mayan liquor made of corn, sugar cane, and wheat, and Mayalen Guerrero mezcal in a bottle so beautiful I was tempted to sneak it back in my suitcase.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
Wilyer Abreu and Adley Rutschman answered with RBI hits before Gasper's first Red Sox homer sneaked around Pesky's Pole in the seventh and Abreu hit an RBI single.

— CBS News, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of sneak

Verb

What strikes him is that the app users aren't always strangers lurking in the dark corners of the web.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
The idea lurking in the shadows is that rather than just individual characters, actual story arcs from the long saga of the beloved Clone Wars series could be remade or adapted into live-action.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of lurk

Verb

Even Wilfried Zaha, with all his on-pitch petulance, never allowed standards to slip.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
And unlike so many of today’s EVs, they’re actually designed to look good, and expose more of the powerful brakes behind, rather than optimized solely to slip through the air more cleanly to aid range.

— Alistair Charlton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of slip

Verb

Edelman, who perfectly timed his run, slipped between a pair of defenders for a sliding first-touch goal, off a cross played by Conrad Wallem, from the center of the penalty box.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Upon arrival, officers found that the rear sliding glass door of the home had been damaged, which the suspect used to gain entry to the home.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of slide

Browse Nearby Words

slings

slink

slinking

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“Slink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slink. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of slink

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