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
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2025
For instance, if a skunk or raccoon has invaded a home, Whitmore thoroughly inspects it to understand where and how the animal enters.
—Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 May 2024
In a remarkable, odds-defying losing streak, the 67-year-old composer has been skunked on every nomination, including the past seven years in a row.
—Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skunk
Noun
Spera said the animals included rabbits, chickens, a duck, a skunk, a dove and two cats.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2025
For instance, if a skunk or raccoon has invaded a home, Whitmore thoroughly inspects it to understand where and how the animal enters.
—Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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
In a remarkable, odds-defying losing streak, the 67-year-old composer has been skunked on every nomination, including the past seven years in a row.
—Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunk
Noun
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Responding officers found the dog, and advised the owner to take the dog in.—
cleveland,
cleveland,
13 Sep. 2023
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Police brought in hundreds of law enforcement personnel with dogs, armored carriers, horses and helicopters that circled overhead.—
Maryclaire Dale, Marc Levy and Michael Rubinkam,
Anchorage Daily News,
13 Sep. 2023
Verb
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To hear Trump tell it, Ukraine might as well be bombing its own cities and killing its own citizens.—
Susan B. Glasser,
The New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2025
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Biden briefly paused a shipment of bombs to Israel over concerns that they would be used on an area where refugees were told to flee, only to resume military aid after Israel bombed the area.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA TODAY,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Also, in sympathy and apology, heartbroken for both our countries, but not defeated.—
Sabrina Haake,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2025
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Instead, Canada defeated the Americans in a thrilling overtime victory.—
Paulina Dedaj,
Fox News,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Wheaton’s actions may have stung in particular because Vought has publicly defended the college in the past.—
Emma Green,
The New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2025
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Sandler and Farley, while both still incredibly popular with audiences, were eventually fired in 1995 by Michaels, who was stung by the criticism.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Fish is also handsomely matched with the wine like umami-rich wild smoked salmon cured with Shio Koji.—
Akiko Katayama,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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On the grate, a half-dozen hunks of beef were slowly smoking.—
Rachel Monroe,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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There are more and more women mastering engineers but there’s still not that many.—
Charles Moss,
SPIN,
26 Feb. 2025
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Technology can sometimes feel overwhelming, but mastering a few simple tricks can make life much easier.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In July 2022, Renay announced her split from NE-YO in a fiery Instagram caption that accused him of cheating.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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Here are four deeper psychological factors behind why some people cheat—even in happy relationships.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Robert Pattinson recalls lying on live TV about seeing clown die in car explosion as a kid: 'What on Earth?' Pattinson also surprised audiences at the convention, making an unannounced appearance alongside his director.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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These clowns dressed as presidents appear immature and narcissistic.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunk. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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