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
Plenty of people will happily hop into the gunk with them.
—
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
For a deeper clean — especially to remove hairspray or other gunk — mix two parts baking soda with four parts water to form a paste.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
This step is important to remove all gunk and stuck-on food before moving on to conditioning and shining the surface, according to Stein.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Many cast-iron enthusiasts simply recommend using a griddle spatula to remove stubborn gunk; the surface of the pan can handle it.
—Julie Harans, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
For a deeper clean — especially to remove hairspray or other gunk — mix two parts baking soda with four parts water to form a paste.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
This step is important to remove all gunk and stuck-on food before moving on to conditioning and shining the surface, according to Stein.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Many cast-iron enthusiasts simply recommend using a griddle spatula to remove stubborn gunk; the surface of the pan can handle it.
—Julie Harans, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunk
Noun
-
Maybe this was not just White House dirt but Roosevelt-era dirt.—
Nancy Walecki,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The vacuum can effectively suck up dirt, debris, and pet hair from all floor types, including hard floors, carpets, and area rugs.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Since the April 2022 closing of the $43 billion merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, investors have been dragged into the muck.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
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The Gophers’ running game was stuck in the muck for weeks, but running back Darius Taylor got loose with 145 yards on 21 carries and his first rushing touchdown.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This World Cup, held on home soil, represents both a golden opportunity and a defining moment for Mexican football.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The team excavated several key places on the site, studied cores of soil and conducted an additional LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, survey of the area.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The swimming pool was covered with leaves and sludge and algae.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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This movie oozes style — and actual undead sludge, occasionally — along with Cody’s signature sense of humor.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The forecast had predicted thunderstorms in the rural town of Yemassee, South Carolina, where Vance, a land surveyor, was mapping sewage lines.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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Overharvesting and pollution with sediments, sewage, and fertilizer have mounted ever since the 1700s, a century after the first English settlement, Jamestown, was established on the James River that feeds into the bay.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Two sheets of metal make this ski feel planted and reliable in crud and on firm snow, while the wood core adds just enough energy to keep it lively without feeling twitchy.—
Marina Knight,
Outside,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Both trap and transport crud from airport terminals and hotel lobbies, city streets and parking lots.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One officer allegedly found garbage bags inside a large freezer that were later determined to contain the remains of a female, the station reported.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Milivojevic, meanwhile, has benefited with garbage-time appearances over the last four games, putting up three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the process.—
Christian Romo,
Freep.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunk. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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