variants
also pucka
as in genuine
being exactly as appears or as claimed
wondering whether the old-looking ivory box was pukka—or just something recently manufactured in China
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 pukka
And if my name were Nikki or Bobby, the state of the state would be pukka — sorry, strong.
—
Anand Giridharadas, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2016
Anand Giridharadas, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pukka
Adjective
-
With a population of only about 5,000 people − both working class and millionaires alike − the eagles are a frequent local topic, both because of the international attention but also because so many locals are genuine fans.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Locals, even some hardened to the realities of big-time sports, bought into Kiffin’s genuine affection for the people and the place.—
Chris Smith,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
In person, Magyar gives every indication of being magnanimous and down-to-earth, smiling easily, thanking everyone profusely, and treating his son with what looks like authentic affection, even when the cameras aren’t rolling.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
But more than anything, Bolles is authentic in a world that is disconnected by social media and polarized by politics.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s no real way around historical McCarthyism.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Later in the day, the menu shifts to a mix of Chinese and international dishes, but the view is the real star.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
This is true only in the narrowest sense.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
That was certainly true on Monday, as Lamont signed a new 124-page labor bill into law.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
So there is no real secret behind the scenes—just to work, to be honest, to meet personally with the people, to look into their eyes.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
Stability grows through honest and thoughtful adjustments.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Their head coach for qualifying, Steve McClaren, resigned immediately in disgrace, and Speid—a certified accountant who’s coached in Jamaica’s domestic league for more than a decade—took over.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
-
Candidates for Teachers of the Year in the La Jolla Cluster — the five local campuses in the San Diego Unified School District — are nominated by their peers at each site, followed by a vote by all certified employees.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pukka.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pukka. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
