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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of skunk
Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Then other critters came to feast on the skunk’s leftovers, the incredible video shows.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2025
Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2024
The premise was that the Minnesota Timberwolves were trying to reconnect in this series after getting skunked twice at home.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for skunk
Noun
That included building a short block wall to separate the deck from the yard — and prevent skunks, possums and other critters from creeping under the deck — build an open fence to surround the property, and add a swale to retain rainwater.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Then other critters came to feast on the skunk’s leftovers, the incredible video shows.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
Facing a rookie pitcher in the opener of a three-game series at Comerica Park, Colorado got skunked 11-0 in a blowout that goes down as one of the most embarrassing losses in a season full of them.
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2024
The premise was that the Minnesota Timberwolves were trying to reconnect in this series after getting skunked twice at home.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for skunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunk
Noun
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The remains were found by two men who were running their dogs and looking for rocks, according to DNASolves.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Sep. 2023
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This included four search dogs, three doctors, a diving team and a water extraction contingent, Tunisia’s state news agency TAP reported.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN,
13 Sep. 2023
Verb
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Israel also bombed Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility, Natanz.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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Several of the Dodgers’ depth starters have bombed out, such as Landon Knack, Bobby Miller and Justin Wrobleski (who was originally scheduled to start Wednesday’s game).—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
11 June 2025
Verb
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His reign ended as another American emerged, Francis Ouimet, a mild-mannered amateur who defeated Vardon and Ted Ray in a playoff.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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That’s supposed to keep immigrant families safe and defeat Trump?—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Verb
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Rough as that was, a fielding mistake may have stung worse.—
Compiled From Wire Reports,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2025
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According to news stories, Macron was stung by the report’s lukewarm reception in Algeria.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Verb
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First, Nurse smoked a left circle wrister over Bobrovsky’s shoulder and just inside the left post at 7:13.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
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The Doobie Brothers have walked, run, and smoked down the highway for a very long time.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
11 June 2025
Verb
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The tournament is serving as a trial run for FIFA to master the quality of its playing surfaces ahead of the men’s World Cup next year.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
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Since making his season debut, Betts has been working to master the shortstop position and suffered a fractured toe.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Iran's response: cheating and hiding its nuclear weapons program; sprinting toward a bomb; and trying to assassinate senior American officials, including President Trump.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
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Trouble is, the elder Broadway managed to cheat St. Christopher out of his share of the plunder.—
Joe Leydon,
Variety,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal).—
Lucas Schaefer
June 13,
Literary Hub,
13 June 2025
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As the animals fought, brass bands played and clowns entertained.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunk. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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