as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something
I have to wash my hands; I got gunk all over them somehow
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gunk
For a meditation on human frailty, look no further than Clare Barron, a playwright deeply fond of bruises and bleeding, scabs and gunk.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
Electric toothbrush owners know this same struggle, the gunk that builds on the bottom of a Sonicare is so ubiquitously understood, a few brands (like Suri) are creating wall-mount toothbrush holders compatible with their designs to keep things as sanitized as possible.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026
Drains, Faucets, and Hardware Tight corners around drains and faucets are susceptible to gunk buildup, thanks to a combination of soap scum, hair, and grime.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Once the gunk loosens, simply wipe the interior clean with a cloth.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
Electric toothbrush owners know this same struggle, the gunk that builds on the bottom of a Sonicare is so ubiquitously understood, a few brands (like Suri) are creating wall-mount toothbrush holders compatible with their designs to keep things as sanitized as possible.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026
Drains, Faucets, and Hardware Tight corners around drains and faucets are susceptible to gunk buildup, thanks to a combination of soap scum, hair, and grime.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Once the gunk loosens, simply wipe the interior clean with a cloth.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunk
Noun
-
Currently, faint white lines outline soccer fields, dirt lots serve as baseball diamonds and a playground sits under a green awning.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
21 Mar. 2026
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The boats will be returning to McCovey Cove, the garlic is being freshly chopped for the fries, and the gorgeous, unmistakable mix of grass, dirt, brick, wind and water at Oracle Park is nearly ready to welcome us back for another season of Giants baseball.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Volunteers have been showing up from across Oahu and even from other islands to help clear away muck and debris, Pierce said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
This is music that’s grounded in the muck and the mire of mundane existence; escape is always just out of reach.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Let soak, encouraging sand and soil to sink, before removing.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
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For instance, caddisfly larvae stabilize riverbeds, earthworms are essential for soil fertility, and burrowing animals enhance soil infiltration.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Dancing with an old fave will be almost as exciting as getting a glimpse of the primordial riverbed, which is usually covered with sludge.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
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Little filth flies such as drain flies breed in sludge and decaying matter that can build up in drain pipes, says Oi.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Three oak barrels, nearly intact, surfaced during a water and sewage system renovation project in Torggata.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Now located on Santa Barbara Drive, the 1970s-era building has become difficult to use, and department personnel are dealing with frequent disruptions and disrepair, such as a recent electrical fire and sewage backups, officials said.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That includes self emptying debris into a washable bin that should hold up to a month's worth of crud, cleaning its own mop pad with hot water and drying it with hot air, and self-refilling with clean water from a tank inside its dock.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Mar. 2026
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That crud jams up the works of your coffee maker, slows brewing down, and impacts the taste of your morning brew.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Unfortunately, the garbage that RFK spewed during his time as a private sector anti-vaccine crusader and is now trying to make government policy has had vaccine skepticism growing nationwide, with deadly consequences.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
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And loading large garbage bags into Gary's truck.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunk. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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