as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something
I have to wash my hands; I got gunk all over them somehow
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gunk
Clean out the garbage disposal: If your sink has a disposal, remove any visible gunk or debris.
—
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2026
All of that use can cause buildup and gunk, which can affect the taste of your coffee and the lifespan of your machine.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 19 Jan. 2026
The perfect perm can quickly fall victim to all kinds of monster goop: think gunk from an inter-dimensional portal, ashy Upside Down spores—this season, even melting walls.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
In the days of fireplaces and oil lamps, the soot and gunk in the air tended to settle on the tops of books.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2026
All of that use can cause buildup and gunk, which can affect the taste of your coffee and the lifespan of your machine.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 19 Jan. 2026
The perfect perm can quickly fall victim to all kinds of monster goop: think gunk from an inter-dimensional portal, ashy Upside Down spores—this season, even melting walls.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
In the days of fireplaces and oil lamps, the soot and gunk in the air tended to settle on the tops of books.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunk
Noun
-
Start by rinsing the beans under cool, running water to remove any dirt or grit.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Daily foot traffic makes wood floors prone to dirt, grime, and dust, so proper care is needed.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Your authentic perspective may cut through the muck of a problem that has become unnecessarily convoluted.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
There are myriad mucks at play, but not all gloop is created equal.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mushy brown, black, or yellow leaves, soggy soil that’s smelly, and drooping all point to too much water.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Select a spot that gets six to eight hours of full sun and well-draining soil.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sewage sludge is a mud-like byproduct created during wastewater treatment.—
Peter Blair,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Those policies range from outright bans to water standards, sludge spreading restrictions and cleanup funding.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The New York Yankees are dealing with a stinky spring training situation after a sewage leak penetrated their clubhouse and outer hallway, and created pools of fetid water around George Steinbrenner Stadium.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
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Like Socorro and Berks County, Social Circle questioned whether the water and sewage system could keep up.—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That crud jams up the works of your coffee maker, slows brewing down, and impacts the taste of your morning brew.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In addition, deep cleaning the crud out of appliances extends lifespan and functionality.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Schools currently consider animals as equipment to be repeatedly thrown in the garbage, while alternative methods are a one-time investment.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Barely present workers dragged garbage bins, arranged displays of crappy snacks, and wiped counters with slow, heavy movements.—
Mary Gaitskill,
New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunk. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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