PUKKA Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

pukka

adjective

ˈpə-kə

variants also pucka

Definition of pukka

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pukka

Adjective

The case that American leadership in this technology carries a genuine security dimension has never looked stupid to me.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
To make Chinese legal institutions more appealing, Beijing would need to grant them genuine autonomy rather than merely expecting professionalism in routine cases.

— Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of genuine

Adjective

There’s also an swanky Indian restaurant, Indian Accent, for authentic upscale dishes and an extensive global wine list.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
Few people in the history of the game are as colorful, charming, genuine, authentic and honest as Wash’.

— Mac Engel August 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of authentic

Adjective

But regardless of any lack of confidence in Hamas’ true intentions, in Mladenov’s faith in the ability to verify weapons decommissioning, or indeed Netanyahu’s own willingness to order any troop withdrawals, why poke Trump so publicly in the eye?

— Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
This problem-first strategy is crucial for unlocking AI's true potential.

— Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of true

Adjective

And the honest inventory is longer than most executives think.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
His honest songwriting — and lack of fear around making a song sound a little darker or more dangerous than what we’re used to hearing on country radio — is what sets him apart.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

Thirty minutes from the Woburn research lab, Black Earth Compost accepts certified compostable materials.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
In August 2025, WJZ reported that a Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education investigation found two classes at a Howard County special education school were not being taught by a certified teacher.

— Kellye Lynn, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of certified

Browse Nearby Words

puking

pukka

pulchritude

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pukka.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pukka. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of pukka

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

salvo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes