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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of funk
Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Even the intermission’s performance by the Wu-Tang Clan could not get New Yorkers out of their funk.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
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
Noun
The band made substantial contributions to the work of many of the genre's pioneering artists, served as a backing band for several soul and R&B acts, and drew heavily from jazz and funk influences.
—Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Even the intermission’s performance by the Wu-Tang Clan could not get New Yorkers out of their funk.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 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
Noun
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Throughout the brand's 2000s heyday, Abercrombie's stores were infamous for their loud music, shirtless models and the inescapable stench of its Fierce cologne.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
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Something soured Monday night at Madison Square Garden and the stench of spoilt optimism wafted into Wednesday.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Severance star Zach Cherry is Gary, a coward who isn’t sure he can be loved.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
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And, in a way, this coward is the only sane one.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Otherwise, Makar will be wincing through pain trying to explain the unfathomable, Blackwood will be dropping F-bombs in disbelief and MacKinnon will be ducking reporters despite being the team’s best player.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
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Aguirre’s refusal to duck a fight, even when facing imposing odds against him, is evident in his decision to return a third time to lead Mexico in a World Cup.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Noun
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For dinner, standouts included a superb chicken cordon bleu, polar fjord haddock with Parmesan polenta, and an always-available filet cooked to perfection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
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The event features unlimited pepperoni and cheese pizza, smashed burger sliders, crispy chicken bites, garlic butter pretzel sticks, fries and fruit, and winners can win free Dave & Buster's gameplay for a year.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Maintain a safe distance from windows and avoid seeking refuge in large open rooms like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
Nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have died in the war, according to some Western intelligence reports, and hundreds of thousands more have left the country to avoid being drafted.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The traumas come from the way people responded, how they’ve been patronized and gaslit and shunned.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
10 June 2026
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Romero, however, has further vowed to shun all potential tax increases.—
Katie King,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Canada’s first-ever World Cup win was overshadowed yesterday when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg after a tackle that left teammates shaken and coach Jesse Marsch lamenting an injury that turned a night of celebration into one of anguish.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
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In a major rupture, strong shaking could cause severe damage near the fault and in areas built on soft or water-saturated soils, which can amplify shaking.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The twist that Evan is Richard Warren’s descendant is the first and most useful scaffolding for Widow’s Bay being able to dodge a season-two slump.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
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After welcoming a second child, dodging more cheating rumors, and splitting again, Cardi filed for divorce a second time — before announcing her third pregnancy with Offset a day later.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Funk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funk. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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