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
Among the local bands that call the Stomping Ground home are Putnam’s own funk/groove ensemble Stattic. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026 Even for the game’s best kickers, misses happen from time to time, but the concerning part for the Chiefs is that the funk has become a trend. — Pete Sweeney october 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 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 single greatest asset that A24 has is the power of its brand to bring younger audiences to theaters and TV platforms without the stench of corporate greed.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Aliso Canyon gas leak took nearly four months to control, sickened thousands of families and forced them from their homes near the San Fernando Valley to escape a sulfurous stench and maladies including headaches, nausea and nose bleeds.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of stench
Noun
  • Some called them cowards; others opted for more colorful language.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2026
  • There are always vultures circling, and always cowards caving.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of coward
Verb
  • Singer said his opponent was ducking debates; Moskowitz said two was plenty.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The scientists ducked as the boat floated beneath a rusty drawbridge, completed in 1911 and designed by Joseph Strauss, the Golden Gate Bridge’s chief engineer.
    — Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of duck
Noun
  • In Minneapolis, Hen House Eatery won a national competition for its GOAT chicken sandwich in 2024.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The eatery also serves non-teriyaki marinated dishes, including a popcorn chicken plate and spicy pork bulgogi plate.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of chicken
Verb
  • The core plasma must stay searingly hot for atomic nuclei to fuse, but the surrounding chamber walls must stay cool enough to avoid structural failure.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Because Illinois held its primary election early in the year, Stratton largely avoided much of the national narrative surrounding prominent progressive candidates elsewhere, such as El-Sayed in Michigan.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • Many people shunned the shelters and stayed in their vehicles outside their homes or in parking lots.
    — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • In response, Boycott’s community collectively shunned and refused to do business with him.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of shun
Verb
  • Sitake winds up practice with a prayer and insists that the defense and offense shake hands after going at one another all day.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Mothers who beat, shook, shot, drowned, strangled, and stabbed their babies.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • How could anyone in the military support a repulsive, draft-dodging coward who called dead soldiers suckers and losers?
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026
  • While fans will be doing their level best to dodge and flip past political spots on Saturday, NBC’s primetime coverage of Ohio State-USC promises to be swarming with last-ditch political messaging.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on funk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about funk

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abandon

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All