as in dog
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
he's nothing but a dirty, rotten skunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 skunk
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
1 July 2026
Because spotted skunks are relatively rare in California wildlife rehabilitation centers and in the surrounding area, there were no other skunks of his kind available to keep him company.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skunk
Noun
Hence, bright lights and sprays of water will make skunks want to flee your yard.
—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
1 July 2026
Because spotted skunks are relatively rare in California wildlife rehabilitation centers and in the surrounding area, there were no other skunks of his kind available to keep him company.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
Verb
That means two out of three Minnesota turkey hunters are going skunked this spring.
—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunk
Noun
-
This cot-style find is made of breathable mesh fabric to keep your dog cool, and the steel frame features skid-resistant feet.
-
Their dog was found alive, which gave the younger Eliezer Alfonzo hope.
Verb
-
After easing through the first three innings, Bryan Reynolds hit a double off the top of the left field fence and Valdez bombed one to left to cut the Phillies' lead to 5-2.
-
There is a bond there that is strong enough, that overwhelming loneliness is bombed.
Verb
-
Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout Friday after the teams played to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes in Arlington, Texas.
-
The short version is that after defeating the Kilrathi at the climax of Wing Commander 3, Mark Hamill’s Christopher Blair retires to a backwater world to live out a life in peace and obscurity.
Verb
-
Significant stinging insect infestations like wasps and carpenter bees may also require a specialized plan that isn’t included in your general pest control service.
-
Democrats are still stung by Rogan’s nearly three-hour Trump interview in the final weeks of the 2024 campaign.
Noun
-
The group demonstrated near the Washington Monument and was met by a few counter protestors, one of which played clown music throughout the majority of the demonstration.
-
But many did not, as the 1981 episodes tell the grim tale of a young girl named Sylvia (Barash), who is raped by a stranger wearing a horrifying clown mask.
Verb
-
The column underscores scientific warnings that smoke from the warehouse, including fine particulate matter and combustion byproducts from refrigerants and solar panels, can acutely harm lungs and carry long-term cancer risks, especially for children, pregnant people and older adults.
-
In the corner, a young John Adams sulks, uninterested in the dancing and gossip and instead opting to smoke a pipe and watch.
Verb
-
With life spent largely on transit, navigating tight layovers, and using their days off to jet-set across the globe, flight attendants have mastered the art of packing.
-
Netanyahu, 76, has spent decades mastering political theater, sharp messaging and grand performances.
Verb
-
The fans were cheated Sunday out of a chance to see an interesting pitching matchup between Shota Imanaga and Dylan Cease, the former Cubs farmhand and former White Sox pitcher.
-
For example, a spouse who catches their partner cheating and kills someone in the heat of emotion.
Cite this Entry
“Skunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunk. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
