LURK Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of lurk are skulk , slink , and sneak . While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," 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 'lurk'?

Although the words skulk and lurk have much in common, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent. // something skulking in the shadows

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

The words slink and lurk can be used in similar contexts, but slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention. // slunk around the corner

Q: Where would 'sneak' be a reasonable alternative to 'lurk'?

While the synonyms sneak and lurk are close in meaning, sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods. // sneaked out early

lurk

verb

ˈlərk

Definition of lurk next

as in to sneak

to move about in a sly or secret manner we caught a glimpse of someone lurking around the corner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to hide

to remain out of sight watch out for snakes lurking in the tall grass

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lurk distinct from other similar verbs?

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

Although the words skulk and lurk have much in common, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

When is slink a more appropriate choice than lurk?

The words slink and lurk can be used in similar contexts, but slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

Where would sneak be a reasonable alternative to lurk?

While the synonyms sneak and lurk are close in meaning, sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

Examples 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 lurk This indicated not only a black hole lurking at the center of this galaxy but that object was bizarrely rotated at a 90-degree angle to NGC 5084. —

Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Dec. 2024 Editors’ Picks Our Book Critics on Their Year in Reading The gunman had lurked outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown, where Mr. Thompson’s company was holding an investors event. —

Maria Cramer, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2024 The Yule Cat is a giant black cat who lurks the countryside to devour anyone who isn’t wearing new clothes. —

Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024 An old enemy of the Doctor’s is lurking in the wings and all of human history hangs in the balance. —

Ellise Shafer, Variety, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lurk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurk

Verb

This is the first time in all eighteen years of her life that Grace has ever snuck out of her mother’s house.

Jessica Furseth, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025
Atlanta snuck into the postseason before getting bounced in the Wild Card round.

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025