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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
The next round was on the latecomer; a wild ale by the name of Arietta, from Fox Farm Brewery, floral and largely flat, had a pleasing barnyard funk. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026 The sportswear industry is in a funk, dragged down by a lackluster market for lifestyle sneakers and apparel. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 23 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
  • And who will have to settle for simply drinking out of a coconut or ducking under stuff?
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Deputies quickly detained Mendiola after witnesses, who were ducking for cover, pointed him out.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of duck
Noun
  • For dinner on the first night, Joy makes chicken 70 ways, but the guys still think the meal is more like lunch than dinner.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Now the restaurant — serving French onion soup, stuffed chicken Caesar croissants, egg crepes and more — is heading to the KC metro.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of chicken
Verb
  • Expecting heavy traffic on the site, the archive has outsourced the database to external servers to avoid overloading its own.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The people familiar with the discussions spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution from the administration.
    — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • Although she was found not guilty the following year, Lizzie was shunned by her community after the trial and spent the rest of her life in relative isolation.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 25 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
  • The policeman held on to Shorty’s biceps and shook them slightly, both giving the sense of a loving embrace and using his strength to lift Shorty ever so slightly off the ground and clear of the entrance.
    — Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The trailer ends with Taylor-Johnson shaking and looking toward the sky as his transformation into a wolf appears to approach.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • At the time that theatergoers were sitting on the edges of their seats and watching Bullock dodge debris, there were only about 1,000 active satellites in orbit.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
  • That is a reason to be careful with wording, not a reason to dodge honest questions.
    — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 21 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on funk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about funk

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