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.

any of several related or similar animals. Compare hog-nosed skunk , spotted skunk .

Informal . a thoroughly contemptible person.

U.S. Navy Slang . an unidentified ship or target.

Slang . to defeat thoroughly in a game, esp. while keeping an opponent from scoring

The team skunked the favorites in the crucial game.

noun

animal , cheat , defeat , knave , mammal , polecat , scoundrel , shellac , stinker