bunkum

noun

ˈbəŋ-kəm How to pronounce bunkum (audio)
variants or buncombe
Definition of bunkumnext
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense a cinematic depiction of the Middle Ages that was derided as pure bunkum by historians

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bunkum Rubbish, bunkum, romanticised bullcrap, fraud, nonsense, baloney. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025 Putting aside the junk peddling, how much of Madoff’s and Trump’s bunkum do they themselves (for Madoff, did) believe to be true? — Richard Behar, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 As generative AI is integrated into common search engines and voters converse with chatbots, people seeking basic information about elections have at times been met with misinformation, pure bunkum, or links to fringe websites. — Mekela Panditharatne, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024 And in the ultimate exemplification of how an endless stream of content begets pernicious bunkum, John McPhail’s Dear David is arguably the most brainless release of the year. — Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 5 Dec. 2023 Nevertheless, anti-vaccine bunkum has clearly metastasized to our furry companions. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 30 Aug. 2023 Brightly lit and filled to their Botox gills with aspirational bunkum, the shows require little by way of mental engagement. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2023 Behind the image was a fair bit of bunkum. — James Gleick, The New York Review of Books, 13 Apr. 2021 The Telegraph's article immediately drew sharp responses from other journalists, who dismissed the report as bunkum. — Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2010
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bunkum
  1. nonsense
  2. rubbish
  3. garbage
  4. nuts
  5. silliness
  6. stupidity
  7. blah
Noun
  • Until recently, that would have sounded like absolute nonsense.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 30 June 2026
  • There weren’t meetings with executives about tone and mood and all this nonsense.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Definition of nonsense
Noun
  • Only construction waste will be accepted at the landfill such as, brush and rubbish, concrete, brick, rock, wood, paper, plastics, cardboard and roofing shingles and tiles.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
  • So where does the rubbish come from?
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
Definition of rubbish
Noun
  • Instead, rival parties united in dismissing his actions as a stunt, leaving his only opponent to be a garbage-can wearing comedian whose policies include forcing rule-breaking cyclists to ride unicycles.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • Using a plastic bag to collect the soil and disposing of it in the garbage — not green yard waste bins — will help to reduce the spread of airborne chemicals.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of garbage
Noun
  • Granola One of the original ‘health foods,’ granola contains many nutritious ingredients, such as oats, nuts, and seeds.
    — Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 4 July 2026
  • California's Central Valley, stretching some 20,000 square miles (51,800 square kilometers), is an agricultural powerhouse that's estimated to produce 40% of the nation's fruits, nuts and other table foods, including most of its nectarines.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of nuts
Noun
  • Minions & Monsters kept its familiar chaos intact, but its turn toward sentiment may have left behind some of the pure silliness that built its core audience at home.
    — David Deal, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Karaoke, whether at a public bar or in one of the private rooms available in most cities, is commitment-free silliness and one of the easiest ways to shake off a long week.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of silliness
Noun
  • Is there a level of insanity, vitriol and stupidity that is infiltrating almost every aspect of our modern society, regardless of your political or religious views?
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
  • Warm, fuzzy feelings for noble stupidity are an American thing, especially in politics.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of stupidity
Noun
  • Frankly, turning it off and listening to the soundbar in normal stereo sounds flat, uninteresting, muddy, and just blah after getting used to SuperWide.
    — Joe Salas July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026
  • Designer-caliber shoes, stretchy jeans, and effortless dresses are all at the forefront of our wardrobes, along with plenty more styles that instantly elevate even the most blah outfits.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 6 July 2026
Definition of blah

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Cite this Entry

“Bunkum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bunkum. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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