Past Tense of Slink
Cambridge gives “slunk” as both the simple past and past participle of “slink.” Merriam-Webster also records “slinked.” This guide therefore leads with the cross-dictionary form “slunk” while preserving “slinked” as a documented variant instead of inventing a dialect or frequency rule the reviewed sources do not establish.
Use “slunk” for the past tense of “slink” when you want the form supported by both Cambridge and Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster also records “slinked.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past | slunk | Supported by Cambridge and Merriam-Webster. |
| past participle | slunk | Supported by Cambridge and Merriam-Webster. |
| recorded variant | slinked | Also recorded by Merriam-Webster. |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need a past form of “slink”?
If yes: Use “slunk” for the form supported by both reviewed dictionaries.
If no: Use the present/base form “slink” when no past form is required.
Caveat: Merriam-Webster also records “slinked”; the reviewed sources do not justify an invented dialect or frequency ranking for that variant.
Examples
He slunk out before the meeting ended.
“Slunk” is a documented simple-past form.
She had slunk behind the curtain before anyone noticed.
“Slunk” also serves as a past participle.
The dog slinked away after the noise.
“Slinked” is also dictionary-recorded by Merriam-Webster.
Further guidance
Core difference
For a simple, source-aligned choice, use “slunk.” Keep “slinked” only as a documented variant rather than labeling it wrong.
Fast Test
If you need a past form and no house style controls the choice, “slunk” is the form shared by both reviewed authorities.
Usage Boundary
Use “slunk” as the default cross-source answer; do not invent unsupported regional, register, or frequency claims about “slinked.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- SLINK Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records slunk and also slinked as inflected past forms of slink.
- SLINK | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge records slunk as the past tense and past participle of slink.