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
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
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
ABC News, 15 May 2026
As Gavin Rossdale waves goodbye to the crowd, jet on over to HelloFresh to catch the 30-or-so minutes remaining in the set from Mexican retro-funk-pop-electronic act Midnight Generation.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2025
Mason McTavish and Alex Killorn each burst out of their respective scoring funks with two-goal efforts, and Frank Vatrano also tallied.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for funk
Noun
While front-running Atlanta remains well ahead in the NL East, Philadelphia's early season funk has passed and momentum seems to be building, which Schwarber is far more concerned about than whatever home-run total is next to his name.
—ABC News, 15 May 2026
As Gavin Rossdale waves goodbye to the crowd, jet on over to HelloFresh to catch the 30-or-so minutes remaining in the set from Mexican retro-funk-pop-electronic act Midnight Generation.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Verb
Tate’s dad worked as a freelance DJ in the 1980s and early 1990s, and introduced her to funk and early hip-hop artists during that time through his extensive record collection.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2025
Mason McTavish and Alex Killorn each burst out of their respective scoring funks with two-goal efforts, and Frank Vatrano also tallied.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for funk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funk
Noun
-
Even in 1986, the eye-watering stench of the murky waters remained.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
In October 2025, there was a strong stench at the Inner Harbor.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
These are American cowards that are rooting against our Country.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
And Trump calls ’em almost like cowards.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Shawn Mendes stuck to his slate gray suit, sans shirt, and gamely posed for photos on the mansion’s steps before ducking down to the basement.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
17 May 2026
-
As the family is photographed, several Aces members come in and pause for a brief hug and coo before ducking quickly out of frame.—
Jade Chang,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
When Sarah’s eyes moved from the map to the paper piling up in my writing nook marked with the chicken scratchings of a madman, her eyebrows arched to the highest point eyebrows can arch.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Occasionally, some nitwit will play chicken with the offending lane changer, get in front of him or her, and stop the car in the middle of the road to continue with verbal and nonverbal critique of the offender’s driving skills.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into the owner of a malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove that has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as fire crews race to avoid an explosion.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
-
The Metropolitan Police Department said on its X Account that the Secret Service was working the scene and cautioned people to avoid the area.—
Darlene Superville,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The fact that the highlight of Henri’s wartime experience seems to be the moment Petain arrives in Limoges for a parade, only to shun him during a meet-and-greet afterwards, reveals to what extent all his efforts were in vain.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
-
Countries that have vowed to shun Israeli weapons makers are nonetheless quietly placing orders, according to industry officials.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Built from the bones of a 12th-century hostelry, its hub is a vast, glamorous lounge bar complete with mixologists shaking modern-day mocktails under the ancient beams.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
Saleh shook off his 0-for-3 day leading up to the pivotal at-bat and was ready to pounce.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
As for whether CenterWell’s commercial interests color its conclusions, Shetty doesn’t dodge the question.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
And while Dallas has dodged some bad weather opportunities in recent years, the luck could run out here.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Funk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funk. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
