Thesaurus results for SLINK

Q: How is the word 'slink' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slink are lurk , skulk , and sneak . While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention. // slunk around the corner

Q: When is 'lurk' a more appropriate choice than 'slink'?

While the synonyms lurk and slink are close in meaning, lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent. // suspicious men lurking in alleyways

Q: When might 'skulk' be a better fit than 'slink'?

In some situations, the words skulk and slink are roughly equivalent. However, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent. // something skulking in the shadows

Q: When can 'sneak' be used instead of 'slink'?

The synonyms sneak and slink are sometimes interchangeable, but sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods. // sneaked out early

slink

verb

ˈsliŋk

Definition of slink next

as in to sneak

to move about in a sly or secret manner like a thief slinking about in the middle of the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word slink distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slink are lurk, skulk, and sneak. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

When is lurk a more appropriate choice than slink?

While the synonyms lurk and slink are close in meaning, lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

When might skulk be a better fit than slink?

In some situations, the words skulk and slink are roughly equivalent. However, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

When can sneak be used instead of slink?

The synonyms sneak and slink are sometimes interchangeable, but sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

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 slink That’s how, last night, the best golfer most of us have ever seen slinked out of a Florida jail shortly before midnight and headed off into an uncertain future. —

Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026 That’s how, last night, the best golfer most of us have ever seen slinked out of a Florida jail shortly before midnight and headed off into an uncertain future. —

Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026 But Chase does not slink off into the obscurity of his podcast studio. —

Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026 Out slink the striped cats, snarling and roaring, leaping at each other or at me. —

Alessandro Meregaglia, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slink

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slink

Verb

That afternoon, Djena sneaked out of the house to meet Shams at the neighborhood Starbucks.

— Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The Brewers tied it in the fourth when Luis Rengifo's grounder to third sneaked under Royce Lewis' glove and allowed Brice Turang to score.

— CBS News, CBS News, 17 May 2026

Definition of sneak

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slings

slink

slinking

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“Slink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slink. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of slink

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