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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The members themselves brought their own conspiracy theories and bunkum to the table. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2025 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bunkum
  1. nonsense
  2. rubbish
  3. garbage
  4. nuts
  5. silliness
  6. stupidity
  7. blah
Noun
  • But most of this energy price escalation stems from Joe Biden’s anti-fossil-energy, Green New Deal nonsense.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The bloc also roped Canada into this nonsense, and recently asked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to dial the generosity up a notch, according to Politico.
    — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of nonsense
Noun
  • The robots are expected to handle several tasks, including stocking and organizing shelves, preparing coffee and hot food, greeting customers, and clearing rubbish.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Voters on Wednesday will elect councilors, who will then choose mayors to oversee municipal services, including water, sanitation and rubbish collection.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of rubbish
Noun
  • Pumpkins get buried under other garbage in landfills and decompose without oxygen, releasing the potent greenhouse gas methane into the atmosphere.
    — Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
  • All 32 packs of the above got sent into the garbage with Stop Sales.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of garbage
Noun
  • Research shows that people who eat more nuts tend to have a lower risk of various heart diseases and of dying from a stroke as compared to people who don’t eat nuts often.
    — Mark Gurarie, HEALTH, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Focus on whole, nutrient-rich foods—especially fresh produce, whole grains, nuts, and legumes.
    — Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of nuts
Noun
  • Mandell never let his artistic seriousness stand in the way of his silliness.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Moments of mutual support and understanding, of belly-aching laughter and silliness, of care and deep love.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of silliness
Noun
  • The power delivery remains impressively smooth, but there is a lot more of it, and the speed builds with the effortless stupidity electric motors are so good at delivering.
    — Kevin Fanady, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Learning that countless more people will lose their lives on account of his neglect, greed, and stupidity, he is pressed, reluctantly, into a most self-serving mode of damage control.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of stupidity
Noun
  • Desan said this can help not only people with SAD but also those with less-severe winter blahs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Trying to make Netflix into YouTube or Spotify continues to strike me as… blah.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 19 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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