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
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
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Recent Examples of funk
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
John Michael Finley play Bart as a surly good man in a funk.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
Spin Contributor, SPIN, 20 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for funk
Noun
His visionary blending of traditional salsa with elements of jazz, rock and funk drove a definitive transformation of the genre, and propelled Latin music in the ’70s and ’80s.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
John Michael Finley play Bart as a surly good man in a funk.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
And there’s always more rising DIY stars on the horizon, ranging from rock to funk to pop to neo-soul.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 20 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for funk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funk
Verb
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Video from the scene shows law enforcement officers running toward the scene as people duck for cover.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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While trying to duck under the very first beam in the very first challenge at the marooning, Bruce banged and bloodied his head, suffering a concussion.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Everyone’s hearts are closer to the surface than usual, so being tolerant of one another’s idiosyncrasies could be necessary to avoid strife.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
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Critics believed that greater transparency would have helped the union avoid the missteps that led to the selection of Howell, who endured multiple controversies during his 34-year executive career with Booz Allen.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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He will be shunned, and his family will have to shun him too.—
Christina Grace Tucker,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Mrie’s angry and terrified family shunned her.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And every summer Wenger seemed to shake his head and buy more young creative types instead.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Morgan's abduction and killing shook Bowling Green, but in some ways, brought it closer together.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Following the hearing, LaBeouf reportedly dodged reporters outside the courthouse and refused to provide any comment.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Birbiglia keeps asking, and Fleming keeps dodging.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Take a break from mundane tasks and escape into your own world, where you will not be bothered.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
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Of over 17,000 payloads launched into space, only six will escape the Solar System’s gravity.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Funk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funk. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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