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View synonyms for skunk

skunk

[ skuhngk ]

noun

, plural skunks, (especially collectively) skunk.
  1. a small North American mammal, Mephitis mephitis, of the weasel family, having a black coat with a white, V -shaped stripe on the back, and ejecting a fetid odor when alarmed or attacked.
  2. any of several related or similar animals. Compare hog-nosed skunk, spotted skunk.
  3. Informal. a thoroughly contemptible person.
  4. U.S. Navy Slang. an unidentified ship or target.


verb (used with object)

  1. Slang. to defeat thoroughly in a game, especially while keeping an opponent from scoring:

    The team skunked the favorites in the crucial game.

skunk

/ skʌŋk /

noun

  1. any of various American musteline mammals of the subfamily Mephitinae, esp Mephitis mephitis ( striped skunk ), typically having a black and white coat and bushy tail: they eject an unpleasant-smelling fluid from the anal gland when attacked
  2. informal.
    a despicable person
  3. slang.
    a strain of cannabis smoked for its exceptionally powerful psychoactive properties
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. slang.
    tr to defeat overwhelmingly in a game
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of skunk1

1625–35, Americanism; < the Massachusett reflex of Proto-Algonquian *šeka·kwa (derivative of *šek- urinate + -a·kw fox, foxlike animal
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Word History and Origins

Origin of skunk1

C17: from Algonquian; compare Abnaki segākw skunk
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Example Sentences

A Great Pyrenees, who had just gotten skunked but nevertheless maintained a grin, protected a flock of turkeys.

“It’s just a postage-stamp suburban yard, but there’s a lot going on here,” Ransdell said of the yard’s abundant wildlife, which counts rabbits, skunks, raccoons and possums as visitors.

The virus is known to infect mammals — from skunks, bears, and cows to people and house pets.

From Salon

Please pardon me for being a skunk at the picnic where California Democrats are celebrating Vice President Kamala Harris’ expected ascension to replace President Biden as the party’s nominee to battle Donald Trump.

“It’s just a postage stamp suburban yard, but there’s a lot going on here,” Ransdell said of the yard’s abundant wildlife, which counts rabbits, skunks, raccoons and possums as visitors.

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