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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dunking
The victim described, matter-of-factly, how her trafficker had cut up jalapeños and tossed them into a toilet before banging her head against the inside of the bowl and dunking it into the water.
—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Known for his athleticism, Christian also has become a force dunking off lobs.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
For those willing to go a step further, try dunking your face in a bowl of ice water.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Be sure to have plenty of maple syrup for plenty of dunking.
—Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
Cold water is another option—dunking your face into a bowl of it triggers the mammalian dive reflex, a physiological response that slows the heart rate and interrupts the body’s stress response.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Johansson scores his 200th On a tremendous play by Boldy to fend off Brandon Montour and spin for a backdoor pass, Johansson snapped an eight-game goal drought by slam-dunking his 200th goal.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
On the side, there’s a cup of mushroom stock fortified with soy sauce, molasses, rosemary and a touch of cayenne pepper for dunking.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
San Antonio led by as many as 28 during a dominant first-half performance that featured a highlight-worthy play with Castle dunking off a behind-the-back pass from Wembanyama.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Known for his athleticism, Christian also has become a force dunking off lobs.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
For those willing to go a step further, try dunking your face in a bowl of ice water.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Be sure to have plenty of maple syrup for plenty of dunking.
—Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
Cold water is another option—dunking your face into a bowl of it triggers the mammalian dive reflex, a physiological response that slows the heart rate and interrupts the body’s stress response.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Johansson scores his 200th On a tremendous play by Boldy to fend off Brandon Montour and spin for a backdoor pass, Johansson snapped an eight-game goal drought by slam-dunking his 200th goal.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
On the side, there’s a cup of mushroom stock fortified with soy sauce, molasses, rosemary and a touch of cayenne pepper for dunking.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
San Antonio led by as many as 28 during a dominant first-half performance that featured a highlight-worthy play with Castle dunking off a behind-the-back pass from Wembanyama.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dunking
Verb
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The atmosphere is super relaxed, with folks spending the day lying on the sand, families dipping into the water, and yes, heading into surf.—
Kaitlyn McInnis,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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There has been a lot of transaction activity in the transports space and CSX is dipping its toes in too.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Venus and Jupiter align in Cancer in the part of your chart governing long journeys, higher learning, and international exploration, making the first two weeks especially ripe for immersing yourself in a new culture and simply having a wonderful time.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
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The center caps its three-week sessions at 15 guests and describes its mission as immersing participants in practices and behaviors that might otherwise take years to develop through outpatient therapy alone.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dunking. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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