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
  • Halo 4, 5, and Infinite used sci-fi nonsense to transform him into this larger-than-life figure, rendering the rest of the UNSC largely powerless in the process.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • These accusations are utter nonsense, concocted from distortions, half-truths and lies.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of nonsense
Noun
  • Twisted Teens are far from rubbish, but that isn't stopping them from playing in the trash for their latest music video.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This comes at the expense of no movement in the wrist, but to be fair, having the lightsaber pointed in any other direction would look rubbish.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of rubbish
Noun
  • What makes a successful scooper Professional scoopers typically use basic tools like a rake, a dustpan lined with a garbage bag and a garden sprayer to sanitize tools in between jobs.
    — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Pan Yan The substance is integrated into a transparent, medium-sized insert designed to fit onto a garbage bin lid.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of garbage
Noun
  • Healthy ingredients like nuts and fresh fruit are often just a garnish or topping.
    — Anahad O’Connor, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
  • My sweet potato casserole recipe swaps the nuts for crispy, sweet-and-salty cornflakes—the marshmallows can stay.
    — Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 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
  • 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
  • Nerdiest song for drummers This will probably come down to stupidity.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of stupidity
Noun
  • Trying to make Netflix into YouTube or Spotify continues to strike me as… blah.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Sure, the Strip is thriving and there are football games to attend and Metallica is in town, blah, blah, blah.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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