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
Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
Since as early on as his second album, the underrated 2015 collection The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, Clark has embraced everything from fuzzy rock to funk to Prince-ly psychedelia.
—Joe Gross, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Saxophonist-flutist-vocalist Denson is a gifted jazz-funk veteran, and his band can be relentlessly energetic live.
—Bret Saunders, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for funk
Noun
All three are excellent musicians, but Spear is a marvel, playing with a fluid style that incorporates multiple influences, from rock to African to blues to funk to Duane Eddy twang, with an innate sense of melody that carries the entire band.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
Since as early on as his second album, the underrated 2015 collection The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, Clark has embraced everything from fuzzy rock to funk to Prince-ly psychedelia.
—Joe Gross, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
Sophomore Marissa demanded a little less extravagance, funk and flair for her second-year room, which is in a slightly less flexible space.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Saxophonist-flutist-vocalist Denson is a gifted jazz-funk veteran, and his band can be relentlessly energetic live.
—Bret Saunders, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for funk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funk
Verb
-
The way a Newfoundland dog carefully ducks his head to avoid getting bumped by a car trunk has captured hearts across the internet.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
People having to duck and dive on the trains and the buses, walking through the street, this is one case, but this is happening all across the country.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, by sharing so much of Lisa's code, the interface practically demanded a pointing device, and the mouse was selected, even though Raskin had so carefully tried to avoid it.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
These writers will work under the latest Public Television Freelance Agreement, which the WGA East ratified in December after a lengthy and sometimes contentious negotiation cycle with PBS, narrowly avoiding a strike.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Before Mexico forced cargo airlines to start using Felipe Angeles in 2022, all the major international airlines had shunned the airport that is so far from the center of Mexico City that is can take 2 1/2 hours to drive to the terminal.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Despite his fame, Redford often shunned the spotlight.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kam Shanks could not shake Ole Miss' punt coverage team and Arkansas will start its first drive of the second half from the 9.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As Emmy celebrations peppered the town on Saturday night, a starkly differently occasion left attendees shaken, tearful and reminded of the immersive power of cinema.—
Stacey Wilson Hunt,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The companies showing off their cases with a lighter white or silvery iPhone 17 Pro in product shots mostly dodged any embarrassment, as those are harder to distinguish from Apple’s actual silver color.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The primary backup appears to have dodged a bullet.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Most want to see better protections and less exploitation of fighters so that they are exposed to the least amount of danger in a sport that cannot escape it.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Funk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funk. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share