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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 gunk
During your weekly fridge clear-out and restock, wipe down shelves and drawers, removing gunk and crumbs to keep the inside fresh.
—
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Mar. 2025
But getting rid of the gunk that can clog your dishwasher filters, sprayers, and drains is crucial to getting the most dish-cleaning power from your machine.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
The sulfur and salicylic acid calm things down without stripping my skin, and there’s even charcoal and bentonite clay to go even deeper and pull out gunk.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 6 Apr. 2025
The caked-on gunk, grease and grime can cause bad odors, smells or even impact taste over time.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Mar. 2025
But getting rid of the gunk that can clog your dishwasher filters, sprayers, and drains is crucial to getting the most dish-cleaning power from your machine.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
The sulfur and salicylic acid calm things down without stripping my skin, and there’s even charcoal and bentonite clay to go even deeper and pull out gunk.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 6 Apr. 2025
The caked-on gunk, grease and grime can cause bad odors, smells or even impact taste over time.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunk
Noun
-
The family was traveling in a 2012 Dodge Ram pickup truck that darted right for unknown reasons, left the road, and overturned numerous times on a dirt shoulder in the desert region, according to the Victorville Daily Press and CW affiliate KTLA.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
13 May 2025
-
Remove any surface dirt, empty the pockets, close zippers to prevent snags, and turn the jacket inside out to protect the outer fabric.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
Sovereignty’s Kentucky Derby victory in the muck at Churchill Downs sparked curiosity over whether the colt can build on his signature win over a possibly drier, faster surface on the Triple Crown trail.—
Gary B. Graves,
Baltimore Sun,
4 May 2025
-
The town of Grand Isle was stuck in the muck of disaster.—
Mark Strassmann,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Brazil were awarded the hosting rights for World Cup 1950 and were therefore considered favourites to win it on home soil, just as Uruguay and Italy had done in 1930 and 1934 respectively.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
-
The news release said the researchers found the larvae were far more prevalent in places where soil was extremely dry and a lot of organic matter was present.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
Yet the chemicals — also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS — are not regulated in sludge fertilizer by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.—
Michael Hawthorne,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2025
-
No area of any economy may have more sludge than tariff classification.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Tijuana River, which crosses from Mexico into California before emptying into the Pacific Ocean, carries not just water but millions of gallons of untreated sewage.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 May 2025
-
The unauthorized development included buildings up to six stories high, parks, water systems, a power grid and sewage disposal station.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2025
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,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Soap removes sticky spills, smeared food or mud; bleach might take out the stains left once the crud is gone.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Any actor that’s been working for over three decades has a giant garbage bag filled of pilots.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2025
-
Bears are generally solitary, shy animals but are food-driven and often find easy meals in garbage bins.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunk. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share