prowl
Roam seeking prey
To prowl is to move stealthily, typically in search of prey or opportunity.
Cats prowl at night; burglars prowl neighborhoods.
The word suggests quiet, watchful movement with predatory intent.
A prowl is an instance of such movement: on the prowl for bargains, a tiger on the prowl.
A prowl car is a police patrol vehicle.
Plant's vertical support
- slinkMove furtively
- creepStealthy, slow movement
- skulkMove with secretive intent
- sneakMove with stealth
tiptoe · glide · pace · roam · wander · circle · patrol · ghost
Pursuit of quarry
- preyAnimal being hunted
- stalkPlant's vertical support
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- pounceSudden attack leap
quarry · pursuit · tracking · predator · carnivore · lion · tiger · leopard
Dark hours daily
- darknessTotal absence of light
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- midnightTwelve o'clock at night
- twilightLight after sunset
shadows · alley · streetlight · after-hours · gloom · owl · silhouette · nighttime
Secretive and sly
- covertIntentionally concealed
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- undetectedNot discovered yet
unseen · silent · hidden · shadowy · camouflage · inconspicuous · discreet · stealthy
Regular surveillance route
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- lookoutWatcher or vista point
- scoutOne who reconnoiters
- vigilantKeenly aware of danger
monitoring · casing · reconnaissance · observing · scanning · searching · surveying · canvassing
stalk
Plant's vertical support
sneak · tiptoe · glide · pace · roam · wander · circle · patrol · ghost · edge
hunt
Pursuit of quarry
pounce · quarry · pursuit · tracking · predator · carnivore · lion · tiger · leopard · panther
night
Dark hours daily
- darknessTotal absence of light
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- midnightTwelve o'clock at night
twilight · shadows · alley · streetlight · after-hours · gloom · owl · silhouette · nighttime · dusk
furtive
Secretive and sly
- covertIntentionally concealed
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
undetected · unseen · silent · hidden · shadowy · camouflage · inconspicuous · discreet · stealthy · secretive
patrol
Regular surveillance route
vigilant · monitoring · casing · reconnaissance · observing · scanning · searching · surveying · canvassing · cruising
- on the prowlSearching for prey
- night prowlerOne active after dark
- prowl carPolice patrol vehicle