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
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of funk
Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
His music runs across genres, from blues to funk to hip-hop, and his fondness for his home base of Oakland, California, is infectious.
—Scott Hocker, theweek, 9 May 2024
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
The influential music star, born Michael D’Angelo Archer, is credited with helping popularize neo-soul — a genre of modern R&B and soul flavored with hip-hop, funk, rock and other influences.
—Melinda Yao, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for funk
Noun
But Minchin and Alcock are an electric duo, their bristling anti-chemistry transmuting their characters’ respective funks from mostly unwatchable to genuinely compelling.
—Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
His music runs across genres, from blues to funk to hip-hop, and his fondness for his home base of Oakland, California, is infectious.
—Scott Hocker, theweek, 9 May 2024
Verb
Led once again by Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, the team appeared to snap out of their funk last week on Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
The influential music star, born Michael D’Angelo Archer, is credited with helping popularize neo-soul — a genre of modern R&B and soul flavored with hip-hop, funk, rock and other influences.
—Melinda Yao, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for funk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funk
Verb
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For a moment, Smith became overwhelmed, ducking to the side of the pillar while wiping tears away.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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Most congressmen unceremoniously scramble to duck behind their benches.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Of course, anyone with a tree-nut allergy should avoid almond butter altogether.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Tillery also advises her clients to skip overpacking and go with carry-on luggage to avoid unnecessary baggage fees or inconveniences if there are flight changes.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The State House may as well be Castle Dracula with all the sunlight-shunning going on.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
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The Creature, who remains nameless throughout the novel, develops into a sensitive and inquisitive soul, yet one shunned by the world for his appearance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The earthquake shook at a depth of just 4 miles, with its epicenter roughly 9 miles west of Johannesburg.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Oct. 2025
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Nearly two years later, there’s still evidence at the crime scene that shook this small island country — ash on jutting rocks, melted scraps of plastic and fabric scattered in the verdant shrubbery where wild dogs stalk giant lizards.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To keep the action always moving at maximum speed, levels often poorly telegraph where the player is supposed to jump or dodge to, leading to cheap deaths even past the first go around.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
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Stacey, in true Rusch fashion, dodges the question.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Epstein story is all about people who are sufficiently rich or entitled escaping the full consequences of their actions, something that is still happening here.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
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Seven years after disappearing from his California home in 1972, 14-year-old Steven Stayner escaped his kidnapper, Kenneth Parnell, and returned to his family in 1980.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Funk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funk. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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