dunking

present participle of dunk
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

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 dunking For Denver, one thing Johnson’s lob prowess should create is another way to optimize the superlative athleticism and dunking ability of Aaron Gordon, with Christian Braun, Peyton Watson and DaRon Holmes also being potential targets. Joel Rush, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Yao was known for his imposing presence on the court as a 7-foot-6 center manning the middle and dunking easily whenever possible. Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025 Serve extra on the side for dunking. Brennan Long, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dunking
Verb
  • The paddlers, all youths from Indigenous communities in the Americas, scampered off their kayaks and raced across the sandbar, ceremoniously ending the trip by dipping their fingers in the choppy sea water.
    Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Temperatures will be as much as 20 degrees below average in some places, with highs dipping down into the 50s, which might be enough to keep some people away from the beach.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As in his previous films, a clanking, rattling soundscape constructed entirely in post is an artisanal marvel, immersing viewers both in the perilous metallic din of a maybe-sinking ship, and the comforting artifice of analog movie-making.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
  • While each room features gas fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows—perfect for immersing yourself in the dense pine forest and Sierra Nevada mountain views—there’s plenty to keep you occupied on the grounds as well.
    Christina Pérez, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dunking. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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