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
The nylon is durable, the bag has feet on the bottom to protect it from floor gunk, and there are a few different internal compartments for laptops, shoes, and other necessities.
—
Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 16 Aug. 2025
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, 15 Aug. 2025
This deep-cleansing formula, powered by salicylic acid, goes beyond the surface to lift away oil, product buildup, and all that environmental gunk that can clog pores and lead to irritation.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 13 Aug. 2025
From hydrocolloid patches to neutralizing gels, few — at least in my experience — actually reduce redness, draw out gunk, and heal breakouts quickly.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 16 Aug. 2025
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, 15 Aug. 2025
This deep-cleansing formula, powered by salicylic acid, goes beyond the surface to lift away oil, product buildup, and all that environmental gunk that can clog pores and lead to irritation.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 13 Aug. 2025
From hydrocolloid patches to neutralizing gels, few — at least in my experience — actually reduce redness, draw out gunk, and heal breakouts quickly.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunk
Noun
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After more than an hour on the road, the team arrived at a cluster of trailers behind a long dirt path on a grower’s property in South Haven, tight quarters where farmworkers rest after long-hour shifts picking fruit under the Michigan sun.—
David Rodriguez Muñoz,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Sweep to get rid of any dirt or debris.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Even from a young age, Ann seeks transcendence, and Fastvold conveys both the dark crowded muck of poverty and the young girl’s airy dreams of light and love.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
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Over the last 15 years, more than two-thirds of the waterway has been slowly brought back to life through concerted efforts to remove or cap toxic muck.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This kind of research is critical, particularly in the areas of understanding the gut microbiome, but also for the understanding of complex microbial populations in soil, for example, among roots of growing crops.—
Steven Savage,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Israeli attacks on Syrian soil since Assad’s fall, as well as recent outbreaks of fighting in the Sweida region of southern Syria, underscore the ongoing fragility of the Syrian government and concerns over its ability to contain violence and migration outside of its borders.—
David Mednicoff,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The standard provided improved protection for modern gasoline engines, including requirements for Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI), timing chain wear, and better piston deposit and sludge control.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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The wastewater exits the home into the septic tank, where solids settle to the bottom of the tank to form a sludge layer, and the lighter waste forms a scum layer that floats at the top.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Others tried to flee into a sewage pond; agents used a boat to fish them out and prosecutors later alleged one man tried to flip the vessel.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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Additionally, there will be an in-ground stormwater sewage system throughout the community to handle runoff.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This isn't just unsanitary—the buildup of crud could eventually interfere with your mixer's moving parts.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
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Baking soda and water can be a good, inexpensive mixture to clean corrosion and crud from a car battery.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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People were calling it tacky, brave, MFA garbage, heart wrenching.—
Sarah Adler
September 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The character of Robbie, a garbage collector- turned-criminal, came to you through a suggestion from someone.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunk. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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