skedaddle

verb

ski-ˈda-dᵊl How to pronounce skedaddle (audio)
Definition of skedaddlenext
as in to flee
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening we skedaddled as soon as we saw the snake entering our campsite

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 skedaddle The Nazis took the bait, hook, line and sinker, and skedaddled to Sardinia, smoothing the way for the Allies to take Sicily, a major turning point in World War II. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 The Nazis took the bait, hook, line and sinker, and skedaddled to Sardinia, smoothing the way for the Allies to take Sicily and marking a major turning point in World War II. — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025 The sun's peeping out, and the budding journalists skedaddle outside, where their friends are just arriving. — Lauren Migaki, NPR, 22 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skedaddle
  1. flee
  2. retreat
  3. fly
  4. bolt
  5. run
  6. escape
Verb
  • In Venezuela and Nicaragua, repressive regimes have also prompted a humanitarian crisis that has forced millions to flee.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Fires are not a material risk, and neither are the crowds fleeing them.
    — Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of flee
Verb
  • Financial markets have retreated this year amid mounting concerns that the Trump administration's economic policies could jar spending by American consumers and businesses, hurting economic growth.
    — Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Pelicans add another dimension to the scene on these deep lakes, formed roughly 12,000 years ago after the glaciers retreated allowing meltwater to form Channel Lake, Lake Marie, Loon Lake and others in northern Illinois.
    — Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • Since Trump came to office on Jan. 20, his administration has flown more than 200 people from the U.S. to El Salvador to be imprisoned in CECOT.
    — Brian Bennett, Time, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Six women will fly to space on the Blue Origin Rocket: former television anchor and fiancée of Jeff Bezos Lauren Sánchez, CBS journalist Gayle King, singer Katy Perry, civil rights activist and scientist Amanda Nguyen, movie producer Kerianna Flynn, and aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe.
    — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of fly
Verb
  • As with the smaller Fiat, the Lancia’s engine was transversely mounted, bolted to a five-speed transmission and transaxle.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Willard, who bolted for Villanova right after Maryland’s season ended in the Sweet 16, didn’t view the Terps as a destination job.
    — Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of bolt
Verb
  • His parents, who tell THR their son is taking the abrupt introduction to fame in stride, perch nearby, ready to run him home after the shoot.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless of whether it is run by M+ or the HKMOA, transparency is important to both the art community and taxpayers.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of run
Verb
  • Patrick escaped slavery but returned to Ireland later.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Millions of travelers are heading south for spring break right now to escape the final clutches of winter.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of escape

Browse Nearby Words

skating
skedaddle
skedaddled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skedaddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skedaddle. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All