dunks

Definition of dunksnext
present tense third-person singular of dunk
as in dips
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 dunks Sierra Canyon used a ferocious press and got points from unexpected places, like 3-pointers from Stephen Kankole, dunks from Jordan Mize and 11 points with 10 assists from JJ Sati-Grier. Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026 Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) dunks the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Dallas. Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026 The jeans guy dunks himself in water. Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026 As Sarr’s defender, Goga Bitadze accounts for McCollum, Sarr rolls to the basket, catches a lob from McCollum and dunks the ball. Josh Robbins, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 Self praised Council for setting up several of Bidunga’s dunks off lobs. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026 Still, Kelly periodically dunks a rapid-test strip in her morning coffee just to be safe. Sean Patrick Cooper, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025 His team responded with a quick turnover but eventually settled down and rode another tenacious defensive effort – and three straight Pharaoh Compton dunks – to get him his 200th career victory as head coach. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025 Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks over Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards during Game Two of the Eastern Conference first round series at Wells Fargo Center on May 26, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dunks
Verb
  • Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving dips 6-7 (55,000, down 6%), and Bruno Mars’ chart-topping The Romantic drops 2-8 (54,000, down 32%).
    Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2026
  • But the film never fully dips into the aesthetic nitty-gritty of the spring show.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the video, the subject ducks his head in the opposite direction of the doorbell camera.
    Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes , Christina Dugan Ramirez , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Julia Bonavita , Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The sun ducks down and sets Conejo Mountain against warm pinks and purples, transforming the ridgeline into an epic silhouette.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dunks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dunks. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.

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