as in dog
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
he's nothing but a dirty, rotten skunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to bomb
to defeat by a large margin
we ended up skunking them, as our goalie was able to prevent the other team from scoring a single goal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to defeat
to achieve a victory over
our football team consistently skunks our traditional rivals Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to sting
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
unwilling to let suppliers skunk him, the restaurant owner inspected every shipment before signing off on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skunk
Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
Authorities found a total of 105 dead animals, including 77 rabbits, 23 chickens, two cats, a duck, a skunk and a squirrel, according to the warrant affidavit.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
Sam had a sudden flash of some decades old cartoon, an anthropomorphized rabbit or skunk with its jaw dropped, a foghorn like awooga accompanying the lolling of its cartoonishly long tongue.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skunk
Noun
His yard now attracts wildlife, including raccoons, skunks and even the occasional coyote.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
Authorities found a total of 105 dead animals, including 77 rabbits, 23 chickens, two cats, a duck, a skunk and a squirrel, according to the warrant affidavit.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
The party got skunked in every battleground state and lost the popular vote for the first time in 20 years.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
Sam had a sudden flash of some decades old cartoon, an anthropomorphized rabbit or skunk with its jaw dropped, a foghorn like awooga accompanying the lolling of its cartoonishly long tongue.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunk
Noun
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Smaller dogs – those under 20 lb (9 kg) – were reported as more fearful, more aggressive, and more attention-seeking, but less trainable than larger dogs.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Sep. 2025
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Also, keeping your dogs and cats active is a great brain activity and keeps them healthy both mentally and physically.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Invita Cafe, a San Diego coffee shop, is being scrutinized and review-bombed on social media for pro-Charlie Kirk posts and products as part of a broader national response on both sides of the political aisle to last week's assassination of the conservative commentator.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Forget the marketing campaign that bombed.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Dodgers went on to defeat the Giants by the score of 6-3 giving Kershaw a no-decision while clinching a postseason berth.—
Wayne G. McDonnell,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
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Cam Macgregor tossed two touchdown passes and ran for a score, while Mason Alger ran for two touchdowns as Bellingham defeated Westwood 34-12 in the Tri-Valley League.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Salt stung eyes and clung to skin, while the smell of brine and fish hung heavy in the air.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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At a family gathering in Huntsville, Alabama, I was stung by the divisive image on my 16-year-old relative’s T-shirt.—
Sabrina S. Fu,
Twin Cities,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Pregnant women who smoke marijuana can also have breathing problems because the substance lowers the amount of oxygen while smoking, according to the ACOG.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Whisk together lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and smoked paprika in a small bowl.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even professional translators in Shanghai and New York are scrambling to master new AI models to safeguard their jobs.—
Vivian Toh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The star recalled his early days, from performing with Michael Jackson and being friends with Alfonso, before learning how to master his Tango routine.—
Joelle Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The type of state where he’s been found guilty of cheating cheating, and she’s been found guilty of emotionally cheating.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
19 Sep. 2025
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You guys have been dealing with the fallout of this cheating scandal for three years.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But the tax benefit will also extend to gambling dealers, clowns, DJs, entertainers, content creators, maids, electricians, plumbers, babysitters, drivers and more.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
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Thank you to Netflix for giving me the opportunity to whoop this clown!—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunk. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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