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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Synonym Chooser

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 The coldest air of the season will slink into Washington, DC, on Monday for Inauguration Day for President-elect Donald Trump. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025 After the volunteers slink back to Paddy’s, the most shiftless person on campus will once again be Principal Coleman (Janelle James), whose ineptitude and vanity don’t prevent her from advocating for the students from time to time. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2025 Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman cracks her whip and slinks about in spandex throughout this film. Emily St. Martin, Orange County Register, 18 Dec. 2024 Also shining in gold was her Destiny’s Child co-member Kelly Rowland, who slinked into a Nadine Merabi jumpsuit that would stand out at any holiday party (Cue: Shirley Bassey’s Goldfinger!). Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for slink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slink
Verb
  • Outside of Aspen, only Vail managed to sneak a home onto the state’s top 10 list.
    Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Looking Ahead: The Mountaineers played two tight battles this week, falling at Baylor in OT over the weekend before sneaking by Cincinnati at home.
    Jim Root, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • New York City is known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, but lurking beneath the glitz and glamour of the city that never sleeps are 3 million resilient rats that have cemented their place as native New Yorkers.
    Sarah Baniak, ABC News, 12 Feb. 2025
  • Most people are aware of the risk of forever chemicals lurking in items such as plastic straws.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Its follow-up, the group’s second full-length, declines even further, slipping from No. 21 to No. 33. Follow me on Twitter.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The company’s revenue slipped 4% last quarter and its income dropped 10%, according to Debtwire, a financial services publication.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In February, the 30-stock Dow slid 2.3% while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost about 5%.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The living spaces get plenty of light from large windows and sliding glass doors at the front of the home.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slink. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slink

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