stalker

noun

stalk·​er ˈstȯ-kər How to pronounce stalker (audio)
plural stalkers
1
: a person who stalks : a person who pursues someone obsessively and aggressively to the point of harassment
celebrity stalkers
In 1990, California was the first state to pass a stalking law that made it a crime to follow, threaten, or harass someone—especially if the stalker threatened violence.George
Eighty-seven percent of stalkers are men. Women tend to be victimized by lone male stalkers whom they know, while men are more likely to be stalked by strangers, and half of male victims' stalkers had an accomplice.Matthew Klein
2
: a person or animal that pursues quarry or prey stealthily
a deer stalker
Though I catch my share of trout, I do it by being a good stalker and knowing where the fish lie …Bill Barich
Polar bears are superb stalkers, and have a way of suddenly appearing heart-stoppingly close.John P. Wiley, Jr.

Examples of stalker in a Sentence

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.
Unfortunately, the stalker eventually found them, with more unsettling mail arriving at each new location. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025 The stalker remained hidden as police were stumped. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025 At the center of all the glitzy havoc—her face often looming on a huge flat screen that rolls around the stage, following actors like a hulking LED stalker—is of course Chenoweth. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025 Heagerty will play Seph Marigold, Courteney’s eccentric and proud longtime stalker who just might turn out to also be her hero. Denise Petski, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stalker

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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

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Cite this Entry

“Stalker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stalker. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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