spunky

adjective

ˈspəŋ-kē How to pronounce spunky (audio)
spunkier; spunkiest
Synonyms of spunky
: full of spunk : spirited
spunkily
ˈspəŋ-kə-lē How to pronounce spunky (audio)
adverb
spunkiness
ˈspəŋ-kē-nəs How to pronounce spunky (audio)
noun

Synonyms of spunky

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Examples of spunky in a Sentence

a spunky determination to make the best of a bad situation
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nothing freshens up a spunky short haircut like fringe. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026 An antiheroic smuggler, a spunky princess and a farmboy with big dreams. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Jasmine is spunky, intelligent, bored with the whole royalty scene, and able to take care of herself. — Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 From the annals of cooking past, sauce jouvert, spunky with marjoram, red wine vinegar, both walnuts and hazelnuts, and breadcrumbs, is raised from the annals of recipe history to be draped over pretty much any kind of vegetable. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spunky

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spunky was in 1786

Rhymes for spunky

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Browse Nearby Words

spunkiness
spunky
spun rayon
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Cite this Entry

“Spunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spunky. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spunky

Nglish: Translation of spunky for Spanish Speakers

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