as in courage
the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship
had the spunk to overcome a severe physical disability
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spunk
Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings issued an emotional plea on Instagram for their mom's return, citing her spunk, her loving personality and her vulnerability.
—
Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Animal-print chairs maintain a bit of spunk in the now bright, airy rooms, as do ornate dark wood bedside tables.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Each design also has its own energy and spunk!
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Dallas’ defense showed some spunk, even factoring in the matchup against an offense that ranked 30th in the NFL coming into the game.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunk
Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Animal-print chairs maintain a bit of spunk in the now bright, airy rooms, as do ornate dark wood bedside tables.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Each design also has its own energy and spunk!
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Dallas’ defense showed some spunk, even factoring in the matchup against an offense that ranked 30th in the NFL coming into the game.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunk
Noun
-
Shine kindly, and let your courage invite fresh adventures now.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
16 June 2026
-
California — and America — now desperately need the courage for another moral intervention.—
Tom Debley,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Rinsing them thoroughly helps keep these unfortunate extras off your plate, and also improves the flavor and texture of the peaches by removing any unwanted grit.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
-
The Knicks’ grit in the Finals was not a fluke.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Noun
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The Spurs responded with their best game of the series, a 115-111 win that required lots of mental fortitude and, in the end, sent Knicks fans home quiet.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
-
Tate projected a credo of masculine excellence that revolved around self-discipline, physical prowess, and mental fortitude.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Just, literally, 20 seconds of just embarrassing bravery.—
Deb Mazzocco,
Twin Cities,
14 June 2026
-
Kate Middleton's surprise appearance at Trooping the Colour in 2024 was celebrated for several reasons, chief among them her bravery in the face of her battle with an undisclosed form of cancer.—
Christopher Luu,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
Noun
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As of now, winning on the ground comes down to mastering masking transitions, managing stamina and your fighter's ground prowess.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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This can help delay fatigue and maintain stamina.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
That mix of stubbornness and courageousness is what endeared Snider to fans and peers alike.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
15 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Imagine having the guts to wear separates to your prom!—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 June 2026
-
Winnipeg focuses on protecting the guts of the ice.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The most noticeable change in Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s oversight of the central bank, compared to his predecessor, Jerome Powell, is his determination to reform the institution.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
The Secretary of State’s Office made the determination Tuesday.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunk. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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