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
As the amiable leader of Shinyribs, Russell and his colleagues mix rock, country, Texas blues, New Orleans funk, Memphis soul and more into an enjoyable, good-timey, bar-band blend. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2026 The headliners are The Breaks, a jazz/funk/roots super-trio of sorts featuring Galactic drummer Stanton Moore, Greyboy Allstars organist Robert Walter, and New Mastersounds guitarist Eddie Roberts. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 2 July 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
  • For the longest time, the residents of Val Verde could not find a lawyer willing to fight the landfill enveloping their neighborhood in clouds of stench.
    — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • The entire competition now has the unmistakable stench of corruption all over it.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026
Definition of stench
Noun
  • That’s the sign of a true coward.
    — Maria Bamford, Vulture, 23 June 2026
  • Fishback showed up at a Donalds campaign event in Lake City on Saturday with a bunch of supporters, shouting through a bullhorn that Donalds was a coward for not debating him and telling him to go back to New York, a reference to Donalds’ childhood in Brooklyn.
    — Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026
Definition of coward
Verb
  • The route is winding and rolling, ducking inland through forest and prairie before curving back to hug the lake’s shoreline, with lots of turnoffs to stop and take in the views.
    — Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 9 July 2026
  • But even if that route is taken, the Pacers would still have to make a waiver or cost-cutting move at some point before opening night in order to duck the first apron.
    — Tony East, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of duck
Noun
  • The lineup also includes yakisoba served with crispy dumplings, a Taiwanese chicken sandwich and sizzling pot stickers.
    — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • Practical options include grilled chicken and turkey burgers.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 14, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of chicken
Verb
  • Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms beat six opponents in the May Democratic primary for governor, winning 56% of the vote and avoiding a runoff.
    — Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
  • The House Energy and Commerce Committee is soon marking up healthcare price transparency legislation that could empower patients and employers with the upfront prices needed to avoid overcharges and choose affordable care.
    — Vivian Ho, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • SpaceX shunned the conventional boxy satellite designs pretty much everyone else has used for more than a half-century.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
  • Befitting his scholarly bent, Bouaddi shunned a lot of the distractions that attracted the attention of his contemporaries.
    — Tom Williams, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of shun
Verb
  • The question is whether Thompson will shake free from the Mavericks, either through a buyout or trade.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • The wine and cocktail menu sports a few local makers too, including Gruet Winery’s sparkling wine and Hollow Spirits vodka, which is shaken into the restaurant’s take on a Vesper martini.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • Without superpowers or magic to fall back on, heroes had to rely on little more than implausible levels of ingenuity and resilience, a capacity to dodge bullets/laser fire, and a gift for making the right quip at the right time.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 11 July 2026
  • But Hawaii has largely dodged the insurance crisis that has engulfed the mainland, with premiums near the national average and a 2% decrease projected this year by Insurify.
    — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 10 July 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 18 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on funk

Nglish: Translation of funk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about funk

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