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folk 1 of 2

noun

ˈfōk How to pronounce folk (audio)
Definition of folknext
1
as in family
folks plural a group of persons who come from the same ancestor her folks have farmed that land for five generations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped the working-class folk with no airs or pretentions

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in people
folks plural human beings in general c'mon, folks, let's get to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

folk

2 of 2

adjective

as in tribal

Related Words

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 folk
Noun
But, rolling deep with indie rock/folk torchbearers the Shins and combustive alt-rockers Silversun Pickups? — Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 There’s something deeply profound in that moment for these common folk. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
This year, the event will feature more folk dancing groups, Plevrakis said, and guests can enjoy a DJ on Friday and Sunday, plus a live band on Saturday. — Christine Condon, baltimoresun.com, 13 June 2019 After Carly and Martina, indie band Half-Alive and folk musician Liza Anne finished off the series for the day. — Elena Weissmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 July 2018 See All Example Sentences for folk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folk
  1. family
  2. class
  3. people
  4. tribal
  5. clan
  6. caste
  7. humanity
  8. ethnic
Noun
  • Grooming remains one of the biggest threats facing children and families, according to Jenkins.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Bridgespan’s report finds that families in middle-income countries are more likely to administer their own programs than those in higher-income countries.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of family
Noun
  • Inside the closed cockpits of WEC’s two classes of sports car, the difference may be academic.
    — Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Arkansas Department of Education spokeswoman Kaelin Clay said last month that the Wittes owed the department $5,650 in Educational Freedom Account money for two summer classes Nova Roots did not provide.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of class
Noun
  • Another 13 people were wounded on downtown Sacramento’s K Street and 10th Street, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in the city’s history.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
  • Organizers say more than 125,000 people are expected throughout the event, bringing in millions of dollars for the local economy.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Definition of people
Adjective
  • States and tribal regulators disagree, insisting that contracts tied to sports and entertainment are gambling by another name—a fight that is now headed toward the Supreme Court as Kalshi tries to defend the industry’s legal footing.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
  • These are not your average concertgoers, says the local police chief, this is more like a football crowd, and as such their passion for the band is tribal, bordering on religious.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of tribal
Noun
  • Charli is but one member of the D’Amelio clan, albeit the most famous.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The new play follows the fortunes of a wealthy but troubled clan through a turbulent period in Nigeria’s recent history.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of clan
Noun
  • When Schaesta Ama outs him and kicks him out of their home, Payam comes to Mansur’s aide (albeit temporarily) but does not invite him up into his caste for more than an afternoon.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Karim, a closeted gay man married to Ameena, and his lover Sukka, a man trying to break free of caste, sit at the center of that approach.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of caste
Noun
  • Taken to its most extreme logic of detachment from humanity, exerting the the will into a detachment from one’s physical life—the Romans called it suicide.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Users do not require the illusion of humanity to invest meaning into an interaction.
    — Terry Oroszi, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of humanity
Adjective
  • The battle changed England's language, ethnic makeup and rulers.
    — Lauren Frayer, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Since then, the conflict has taken on an ethnic as well as an international dimension, embroiling Sudan’s neighbors but also the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Iran.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of ethnic

Browse Nearby Words

folios
folk
folklife
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Cite this Entry

“Folk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folk. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on folk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about folk

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