1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

funk 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈfəŋk How to pronounce funk (audio)
Definition of funknext
as in stench
a strong unpleasant smell the overpowering funk of rotten meat emanated from the garbage bin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

funk

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in coward
a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger he may be a strong, athletic guy, but he's a real funk when it comes to donating blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

funk

3 of 3

verb

as in to duck

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 funk
Noun
So don’t immediately assume that the marketplace is in a funk. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026 But Claypool is undeniably one of the bass guitar’s fearless explorers, taking the slap bass innovations of funk legends like Larry Graham to strange, exciting, and tasteless new places. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
This public artwork and its function — as in, this party and the space’s purpose — feels like a mirror, a temple to self, a shrine to funk, a dedication and invitation to experience what is still so divine and aspirational about the present moment. — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026 Music fans are still mourning the death of legendary singer D’Angelo and lauding how the vastness of his musical experiences, from gospel to funk to soul, permeates his catalog. — Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for funk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funk
  1. stench
  2. coward
  3. duck
  4. chicken
  5. avoid
  6. shun
  7. shake
  8. dodge
Noun
  • The family lived in a company house beside a petroleum plant; Metze recalled waking as a child to the stench of kerosene.
    — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The stench of jet fuel, debris and fire from the burning Pentagon spread throughout the city.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of stench
Noun
  • No, and as true as all that might be, the most important lesson is that DEI turns people into cowards.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
  • But Coyote has hitched his hopes for the mammoth case upon a man who could only be called a coward.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of coward
Verb
  • Even so, the show ducked and dived the long arm of the network fuddy-duddies beautifully, skirting the edge of censorship with a knowing wink, clever pun, and out-of-this-world comedic timing.
    — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • But then, Jackson ducked low beneath two heavyweight defenders.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of duck
Noun
  • At the franchisee convention, executives shared that the next evolution of its chicken offerings will be hand-breaded.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Egypt claimed to have achieved 100 percent chicken-egg self-sufficiency and reported a 113 percent year-over- year increase in rumors.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of chicken
Verb
  • The company estimates that converting the existing US fleet could avoid about 20 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually while providing gigawatts of additional generating capacity.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In Indonesia, farmers rely on rain to dissolve fertilizers into the soil to avoid burning the plants, explained Eddy Martono, chairman of the Indonesian Palm Oil Association.
    — EDNA TARIGAN, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • But while she was cleared in the eyes of the law, Lizzie was permanently shunned by her community until her death in 1927.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The mares are now shunning poor Valentine, which Puckett hopes is only temporary.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of shun
Verb
  • In the coastal village of Quinhagak, the storm shook houses and damaged some buildings and infrastructure.
    — Samantha Watson, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Some Providence parents shook their heads as the clock wound down; others shouted expletives toward school administrators and Nazareth players.
    — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • Senior quarterback Landon Conroy dodged rushers, revved up his arm and brought the North Stars within 14 points early in the fourth quarter before Batavia held on for a 55-35 victory.
    — Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • First released in arcades in 1999, the game puts players behind the wheel of a fearless cabbie racing the clock through chaotic city streets — flying off ramps, dodging traffic, and chasing tips with punk-rock energy.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of dodge

Browse Nearby Words

fungicides
funk
funked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Funk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funk. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on funk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about funk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tactile

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All