spunkier; spunkiest
: full of spunk : spirited
spunkily adverb
spunkiness noun

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.
That spunky spirit lingered into the nineties and early two-thousands. David Remnick, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025 Months away from becoming an octogenarian, Neil Young remains as spunky, fearless and outspoken as any major artist of his generation — let alone those who followed. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025 From the author of The Firekeeper's Daughter comes this spunky new mystery about a foster child looking to reclaim her history — her own way. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025 Since releasing her debut album last year, Ella Langley and her spunky New Traditionalist country have left their mark on Nashville. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Spunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spunky. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

spunky

adjective
spunkier; spunkiest
: full of spunk : spirited
spunkily adverb
spunkiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spunky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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