as in dipping
to sink or push (something) briefly into or as if into a liquid
dunking a doughnut in one's morning coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of dunking
Dude was a slant master, dinking and dunking to his heart’s delight, forcing safeties to creep up and putting linebackers on their heels.
—
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Among those penalized was Smith-Njigba, who was fined $14,191 for unsportsmanlike conduct (use of a prop) after dunking the football over the crossbar following his touchdown against the Texans — a celebration that, per league rules, is not permitted.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Portland’s Chinese phenom Hansen Yang even got a few minutes, dunking once and blocking a couple shots.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
But Miller was back Wednesday in the Hornets’ 136-117 season-opening win over the Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center — rising, soaring and dunking the ball with acrobatic impunity.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
Evans has enjoyed watching that X post of Davis dunking the volleyball.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
The end result is a creamy, bold, not-too-hot flavor mash-up ready for dunking.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
Some pan dulces are rich and decadent, while others are mild and perfect for dunking into coffee or hot chocolate.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Imagine wearing a flamingo outfit while dunking your target’s head in a toilet.
—George Yang, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Among those penalized was Smith-Njigba, who was fined $14,191 for unsportsmanlike conduct (use of a prop) after dunking the football over the crossbar following his touchdown against the Texans — a celebration that, per league rules, is not permitted.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Portland’s Chinese phenom Hansen Yang even got a few minutes, dunking once and blocking a couple shots.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
But Miller was back Wednesday in the Hornets’ 136-117 season-opening win over the Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center — rising, soaring and dunking the ball with acrobatic impunity.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
Evans has enjoyed watching that X post of Davis dunking the volleyball.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
The end result is a creamy, bold, not-too-hot flavor mash-up ready for dunking.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
Some pan dulces are rich and decadent, while others are mild and perfect for dunking into coffee or hot chocolate.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Imagine wearing a flamingo outfit while dunking your target’s head in a toilet.
—George Yang, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dunking
Verb
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Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-50s during the day on Tuesday, dipping to the mid-40s.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
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Yamamoto kept them guessing at fastballs registered in the upper 90s, sliders in the 80s and curveballs dipping into the 70s.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One of the main ways Crampton was able to persevere was by using her skills as a chef and immersing herself in nutrition to accelerate her recovery.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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The first campaign sees Doherty exploring and immersing himself within Jamaica’s vibrant culture alongside former Miss Universe Jamaica, Miqueal-Symone Williams.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dunking. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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