to skulk in the shadows

Examples

• All

• At the party, she preferred to skulk in the shadows instead of mingling with the other guests.

• He would often skulk in the shadows, observing the passersby without being noticed.

• Don't skulk in the shadows like a thief!

• Why do you skulk in the shadows during the party?

• The thief began to skulk in the shadows to avoid being detected by the police.

• She would often skulk in the shadows during the night, watching the neighborhood without being seen.

• The cat liked to skulk in the shadows, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting birds.

Synonyms

C

to creep

vsto skulk in the shadows

155 2.5

To move slowly and quietly with the body low to the ground

can involve quicker or upright secretive movement, not only low crawling

L

to lurk

vsto skulk in the shadows

104 5.5

To stay hidden and move secretly to watch or frighten people

focuses on avoiding notice rather than planning to watch or harm

H

to hide out

vsto skulk in the shadows

• Informal

76 5.6

To stay in a secret place to avoid danger or trouble

is about moving or acting in secret briefly rather than long stationary concealment

S

to skulk

vsto skulk in the shadows

20 7.7

To move or act quietly to avoid being noticed

focuses on staying in dark spots rather than general secret movement

S

to slink

vsto skulk in the shadows

16 6.7

To move quietly and carefully to avoid being seen

avoids being seen mainly without the specific guilt or fear motive

L

to lie low

vsto skulk in the shadows

• Informal

14 5.6

To stay out of sight to avoid trouble

often describes brief secret movement or action, not only quiet staying

S

to sidle

vsto skulk in the shadows

5 8.1

To move slowly and quietly to the side to avoid being noticed

moves or stays out of view without the specific sideways or shy manner

L

to lurk in the shadows

vsto skulk in the shadows

3 7.6

To stay hidden in dark places to watch or wait

moves or stays out of view mainly to avoid notice rather than to watch

G

to ghost

vsto skulk in the shadows

1 6.8

To move quietly and smoothly so people do not notice

focuses on secret purpose or avoiding notice rather than graceful motion

S

to sidle past

vsto skulk in the shadows

1 7.9

To move sideways past someone quietly without being noticed

moves or remains unseen more generally, not only by passing sideways

H

to hugger-mugger

vsto skulk in the shadows

• Archaic

9.9

To act in a secret, quiet way to avoid being seen

emphasizes moving or staying unseen rather than vague secret behaviour

Antonyms

C

to come to light

52 3.9

To become known after being hidden

How Secretive

to skulk in the shadows

1 8.6

to lie low

• Informal

14 5.6

to hide

∞ 1.0

to sneak away

• Informal

17 3.6

to prowl

35 5.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology