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
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
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
Soon, people are dunking his head into a series of punch bowls.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026
Heat rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis put on a dunking show during the workout, leaving his coaches and teammates in shock.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
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
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
Soon, people are dunking his head into a series of punch bowls.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026
Heat rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis put on a dunking show during the workout, leaving his coaches and teammates in shock.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dunking
Verb
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Van Nurden said farmers are making up for losses by dipping into savings built up during the pandemic years, which produced profits.—
Star Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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During my visit, people came and went—not in throngs, but in ones and twos, dipping in and out quickly.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Cold plunging — immersing the body in water below 60 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods — is typically paired with saunas, hot tubs and other restorative treatments.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
Curiously, windows and sliding doors aren’t equipped with screens (yet), which makes immersing yourself in the forest environment while indoors more challenging (and less breezy), though the unmistakable calls of the colobus monkeys ring right through the glass.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dunking. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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