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

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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
In the household, spiritual jazz, classic soul and funk, and Afrobeat were omnipresent. — Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026 Throughout her career, Wilson was a relatively prolific jazz musician with an emotive contralto who incorporated elements of blues and funk into her songwriting. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 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
  • Players have had to battle through the stench of bubonic chronic in the vicinity of some courts.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The overwhelming stench of death is crushing hopes that more survivors will be found in Bidur, a town in Nepal’s Nuwakot district, devastated by last week’s catastrophic floods.
    — Surendra Phuyal, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stench
Noun
  • 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
  • The pundits feasted on her neutrality, most venomously Megyn Kelly, who called her a coward.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of coward
Verb
  • People forced to duck TikTokers and TMZ don’t want to expose every aspect of their incomes and daily lives to strangers, then live somewhere where everyone knows everyone’s business.
    — Bridget Read, Curbed, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Paxton has so far failed to hold large campaign events and is ducking debates.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of duck
Noun
  • Once the drop trap — a simple wire cage triggered by yanking on a cord — is set up with an enticing mix of sardines and shards of roast chicken on a cardboard tray inside, everyone moves out of sight behind massive logs a few yards away.
    — Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The actors keep to the text of the interview while Fish brings a host of directorial intrusions — a bubble machine, a chicken suit.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of chicken
Verb
  • During the prime years of her career, while widely acknowledged as an exceptional Schubert singer with impeccable German diction, Anderson still avoided expounding on the music.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Bowman just got out from under a massive long-term contract (Darnell Nurse), and should avoid another with an aging (albeit substantial) talent.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • Berry shunned the unnatural world whenever, and however possible.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Many Amish people shun certain kinds of modern technology, and Reichenbach says many now use ride services to get around.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shun
Verb
  • As Gansey greeted them, shaking hands, taking photos and smiling endlessly, one stepped forward with a question that encapsulated everything.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • More than a year of demonstrations sometimes drawing hundreds of thousands of people shook Vucic more than ever during his 14 years in power.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • The brothers also may have wanted to dodge questions regarding rumors about a new tour, with the band posting cryptic teasers on social media the past several days.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • See how that changes if Miami can dodge the upset, the pratfall, and heads 8-0 to South Bend.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on funk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about funk

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