Synonyms of funk

funk 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈfəŋk 

as in stench

a strong unpleasant smell

the overpowering funk of rotten meat emanated from the garbage bin

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stench
• stink
• reek
• badness
• mustiness
• staleness
• scent
• rankness
• foulness
• filth
• vileness
• rancidity
• dirtiness
• emission
• nastiness
• fetidness
• fustiness
• malodorousness
• acridness
• effluvium
• filthiness
• dirt
• odorousness
• odor
• sniff
• redolence
• odoriferousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• perfume
• fragrance
• aroma
• sweetness
• spiciness
• bouquet
• lusciousness
• savoriness
• floweriness
• ambrosia

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

• coward
• chicken
• craven
• sissy
• poltroon
• cur
• dastard
• snake
• defeatist
• pussy
• cream puff
• recreant
• quitter
• milquetoast
• sneak
• wimp
• weakling
• caitiff
• pushover
• ostrich
• scaramouch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hero
• stalwart
• valiant
• daredevil

funk

3 of 3

verb

as in to duck

Related Words

• duck
• avoid
• shun
• shake
• dodge
• escape
• evade
• eschew
• shirk
• elude
• sidestep

Dissimilar Words

• breast
• beard
• face
• confront
• dare
• front
• brave
• brazen
• defy
• face up (to)
• outbrave
• outface
• affront

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of funk

Noun

Jackson, born in New York, got his start in music singing gospel before moving to California to perform with the ’70s funk band Mystic Merlin. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

If the household has a stronger funk lately, the culprit may be sitting in the pantry, not the laundry basket. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 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