skew

1 of 3

verb

skewed; skewing; skews

intransitive verb

1
: to take an oblique course
2
: to look askance

transitive verb

1
: to make, set, or cut on the skew
2
: to distort especially from a true value or symmetrical form

skew

2 of 3

adjective

1
: set, placed, or running obliquely : slanting
2
: more developed on one side or in one direction than another : not symmetrical

skew

3 of 3

noun

: a deviation from a straight line : slant

Examples of skew in a Sentence

Verb They were accused of skewing the facts to fit their theory. He accused them of skewing the rules in their favor.
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.
Verb
This can skew critical processes if untested data assumptions go undetected. Tarun Eldho Alias, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 But in modern times, papal conclaves have skewed much shorter: The longest conclave in the 20th century lasted five days. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
This line of thinking drives our perception of an unfavorable risk skew, which leads to the third recurring theme: diversification. Jeffrey Schulze, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 Some make legible figures, while others skew toward abstraction, creating works that don’t even resemble bodies in the traditional sense but remain eerily, unmistakably real. Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
This could be the start of a skew of dates to be announced. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 That sentiment ran throughout the comment section, though sometimes with a more positive skew. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skew

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to escape, run obliquely, from Anglo-French *eskiuer, eschiver to escape, avoid — more at eschew

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1688, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skew. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

skew

verb
ˈskyü
1
: to take a slanting course : move or turn aside : swerve
2
: to distort from a true value or symmetrical form
skewed the facts to fit their theory

More from Merriam-Webster on skew

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