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
Make sure to thoroughly clean the top, bottom, and between slats (if there's room) to eradicate all the gunk that may cause a sour smell or a slippery, dangerous surface.
—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Then scrub away any gunk with a non-scratch sponge.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
Gentle Cleansing Gel is a hard-working but easygoing pick that washes away a day's worth of gunk and grime without stripping.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 23 May 2025
The best cleansers for a stainless-steel range hood All the grease from your stovetop likely goes up and settles on top of your range hood, leaving an icky film of gunk.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Then scrub away any gunk with a non-scratch sponge.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
Gentle Cleansing Gel is a hard-working but easygoing pick that washes away a day's worth of gunk and grime without stripping.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 23 May 2025
The best cleansers for a stainless-steel range hood All the grease from your stovetop likely goes up and settles on top of your range hood, leaving an icky film of gunk.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunk
Noun
-
But after Freddie Freeman worked a four-pitch walk, Smith pounded a first-pitch sinker into the dirt.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
-
If your windows are heavily dirty, let the solution sit for a couple of minutes to loosen the dirt.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
And years of exposure to heat, chemicals, and environmental muck can also strip away some of your hair’s natural gloss, leaving it looking duller, Dr. Lo Sicco notes.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
9 July 2025
-
Now, less than two months later, the muck and mud of historic flooding had returned.—
Keisha Rowe,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Factors to consider: soil types, slopes, sun/shade, temperature, winds, and plant types and sizes.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 July 2025
-
In so doing, the squash foliage serves as a living mulch, preserving soil moisture and squelching weed growth. Herbs.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Using more sludge and less slag in their recipe, researchers were able to create a material that's stronger than even today's enhanced cements and highly resistant to corrosion by acid.—
Michael Franco,
New Atlas,
9 June 2025
-
The film careens between a dreary sludge of despair and eventual heart-palpitating nightmare, Grace caught in a mercurial storm of her own moods without ballast and unable to be understood by those around her.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
With the sewage crisis, Aguirre had been a foil to Vargas, who had opposed the emergency declaration and had tried to temper concerns about air safety.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
-
Insurance also isn't likely to cover water or sewage backups in your home, whether this is caused by a failing sump pump or heavy rains.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
This isn't just unsanitary—the buildup of crud could eventually interfere with your mixer's moving parts.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 May 2025
-
This entry’s crud, on the other hand, is piled digitally in an INBOX.—
Sam Corbin,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
Wasps are also scavengers, and they can often be found flying around garbage bins looking for their next meal.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
-
Folsom 4th of July garbage schedule For those living in Folsom, trash and waste pickup will continue as scheduled, according to the city’s website.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated July 2,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunk. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share