crab spider
noun
: any of a family (Thomisidae) of spiders that resemble crabs in shape and in being able to walk forward, backward, and sideways see also giant crab spider
Examples of crab spider in a Sentence
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Two Spiders That Repel Predators and Lure Prey at Once
Also on October 24, 2025, two new crab spiders were reported: Phrynarachne gorochovi from the Philippines and Phrynarachne storozhenkoi from Borneo.
—
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Two Spiders That Smell Like Bird Droppings Also on October 24, 2025, two new crab spiders were reported: Phrynarachne gorochovi from the Philippines and Phrynarachne storozhenkoi from Borneo.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
Spiders That Smell Like Bird Droppings Also on October 24, 2025, two new crab spiders were reported: Phrynarachne gorochovi from the Philippines and Phrynarachne storozhenkoi from Borneo.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
According to Ohio State University, the most common types of spiders are daddy long-legs, wolf spiders, and crab spiders, which can be found in or around your home.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 July 2025
With and without training, the mantises and crab spiders showed a significantly different response to the flies than to the wasps, and were much more cautious of lesser intermediate mimics than the birds had been.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
Some types of crab spiders and the giant swallowtail caterpillar also sport white spots and are thought to be emulating the pasty-white urea component of bird excrement.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 13 Dec. 2023
Due to its flattened stance, it is also sometimes known as the six-eyed crab spider.
—Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 3 May 2023
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Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Two Spiders That Smell Like Bird Droppings Also on October 24, 2025, two new crab spiders were reported: Phrynarachne gorochovi from the Philippines and Phrynarachne storozhenkoi from Borneo.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
Spiders That Smell Like Bird Droppings Also on October 24, 2025, two new crab spiders were reported: Phrynarachne gorochovi from the Philippines and Phrynarachne storozhenkoi from Borneo.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
According to Ohio State University, the most common types of spiders are daddy long-legs, wolf spiders, and crab spiders, which can be found in or around your home.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 July 2025
With and without training, the mantises and crab spiders showed a significantly different response to the flies than to the wasps, and were much more cautious of lesser intermediate mimics than the birds had been.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
Some types of crab spiders and the giant swallowtail caterpillar also sport white spots and are thought to be emulating the pasty-white urea component of bird excrement.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 13 Dec. 2023
Due to its flattened stance, it is also sometimes known as the six-eyed crab spider.
—Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 3 May 2023
Cite this Entry
“Crab spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crab%20spider. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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