prowling
Moving with predatory intent
Prowling is moving stealthily, typically in search of prey or opportunity.
Animals prowl when hunting; people prowl when up to no good: Someone was prowling around the house last night.
The word suggests quiet, purposeful movement with predatory or suspicious intent.
A prowl car is a police cruiser patrolling for trouble.
On the prowl means actively seeking—often sex or a good time.
Concealed and watchful
- creepingMoving slowly, stealthily
- slinkingMoving with furtive stealth
- skulkingMoving furtively, covertly
- furtiveSecretive and sly
sneaking · tiptoeing · silent · shadowing · undetected · stealthy · catlike · padding
Monitoring location over time
- preyAnimal being hunted
- quarryPit for extracting rock
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- pursuitAct of chasing something
chase · predation · pounce · stalk · hunt · game · trapping · snaring
Maned African feline
- tigerLarge striped Asian feline
- leopardSpotted African wild cat
- pantherLarge dark wildcat
- wolfWild pack canine
cougar · jaguar · lynx · bobcat · hyena · fox · coyote · wildcat
Total absence of light
- shadowsDark areas from blocked light
- nighttimeDark hours between dusk and dawn
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- alleywayNarrow urban passage
streetlight · midnight · dusk · twilight · gloom · patrol · roaming · wandering
Information-gathering before action
- scoutingObserving to gather information
- casingEnclosing cover or frame
- watchingActively looking at something
- observingPerceiving attentively
stakeout · patrol · monitoring · circling · canvassing · scoping · inspecting · searching
lurking
Concealed and watchful
- creepingMoving slowly, stealthily
- slinkingMoving with furtive stealth
- skulkingMoving furtively, covertly
furtive · sneaking · tiptoeing · silent · shadowing · undetected · stealthy · catlike · padding · gliding
tracking
Monitoring location over time
pursuit · chase · predation · pounce · stalk · hunt · game · trapping · snaring · circling
lion
Maned African feline
wolf · cougar · jaguar · lynx · bobcat · hyena · fox · coyote · wildcat · feline
darkness
Total absence of light
- shadowsDark areas from blocked light
- nighttimeDark hours between dusk and dawn
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
alleyway · streetlight · midnight · dusk · twilight · gloom · patrol · roaming · wandering · restless
reconnaissance
Information-gathering before action
- scoutingObserving to gather information
- casingEnclosing cover or frame
- watchingActively looking at something
observing · stakeout · patrol · monitoring · circling · canvassing · scoping · inspecting · searching · investigating
- theftstealing, larceny, steal, burglary, robbery
- animal behaviorsswimming, running, walking, jumping, flying
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- locomotionwalking, running, crawling, swimming, flying
- menacingthreatening, intimidating, menacing, ominous, sinister
- nocturnal activitynight vision, night feeding, night flying, owl calls, cricket chirping
prowlingcharging
Restoring electrical power
rushing · storming · barreling · stampeding · striding
prowlingfleeing
Rapid escape from danger
retreating · escaping · running away · withdrawing · hiding
prowlingresting
In a state of stillness
staying put · sitting still · standing still · sleeping · waiting