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

Relevance

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 track landed him on the Billboard Pop chart and has remained a defining track of the electro-funk and B-Boy scenes for more than 40 years. — Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 21 July 2026 Fish sauce brings the funk (the good kind) to this salad’s tangy-sweet dressing. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 18 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
  • The stench, a byproduct of papermaking, eased years ago with the installation of air-scrubbing equipment and went away completely in September when International Paper closed the mill after 90 years of operation.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
  • Her main concern is about the noxious stench of rotting food.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of stench
Noun
  • In reality, the refs just do the bidding of the cowards behind the curtain.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
  • That’s the sign of a true coward.
    — Maria Bamford, Vulture, 23 June 2026
Definition of coward
Verb
  • To pretend otherwise, and to accuse everyone who points to these difficult trade-offs of bad faith, is to duck a confrontation with the deepest problems of politics and policy.
    — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • By contrast with physical products, policymakers now tend to duck difficult conversations about what to do with addictive services or experiences like gambling and video games.
    — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Definition of duck
Noun
  • The first 100 guests will receive a free two-piece chicken-leg and thigh meal — no purchase necessary, only available inside the restaurant.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 22 July 2026
  • In the United States alone, at least 174 million chickens have been killed.
    — Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of chicken
Verb
  • This basic primer avoids specific military tactics, instead offering general advice for non-military personnel.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Saudi Arabia is getting pulled further into the Middle East conflict, conducting joint strikes with the US against Iraq this week – despite the kingdom having spent months trying to avoid deeper involvement.
    — Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • Gwen champions an immersive dining experience, weathering external crises and shunning delivery apps.
    — Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Tankers are shunning the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, threatening a lifeline for Saudi Arabia’s crude exports during the Strait of Hormuz’s closure; Asian refiners are eyeing the one-month-longer trip through the Suez Canal.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of shun
Verb
  • The case exposed serious weaknesses in financial oversight and shook public confidence in institutions responsible for protecting taxpayer dollars.
    — Malia M Cohen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
  • With the room shaking, the show’s producer, Bob Johnston, plotted a course toward the nearest group of guards.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • For years, physicists have dreamed of optical chips where light can race around corners and dodge defects without losing information.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout the day, teenagers would dash onto the beach, dodging officers before diving back into the water.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 31 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 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on funk

Nglish: Translation of funk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about funk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All