1
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
she plays a punk game of tennis, so you won't have any trouble beating her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
the acting in the movie ranged all the way from poor to punk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body
I've been feeling punk today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
an impertinent punk who was trying to tell senior colleagues how to do their jobs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
the vigilante was hailed by some as a hero for standing up to the punks who had repeatedly threatened his family
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in garbage
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
claims made by cosmetic companies about their antiaging creams that turned out to be a lot of punk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of punk
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Led by the magnetic Tom Peter, the prolific lo-fi post-punk band out of Australia adds a human drummer and turns in a 23-minute burst of nonstop fun and creativity.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 1 June 2026
The first two seasons were told from Louis's point of view, but now the camera flips to the punk-rock Lestat, and Reid's hot and heavy depiction of the blonde creature of the night made famous in Anne Rice's novels and the 1994 film adaptation (played by Tom Cruise).
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punk
Adjective
The rhythm section plays duck-and-dodge with the post-punk guitar, building up the tension.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Led by the magnetic Tom Peter, the prolific lo-fi post-punk band out of Australia adds a human drummer and turns in a 23-minute burst of nonstop fun and creativity.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
Noun
Fans of the legendary designer and his whimsical, punk, off-kilter designs have been buzzing since the recent announcement that the Marc Jacobs Beauty brand would be making a triumphant return after a five-year hiatus.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 1 June 2026
The first two seasons were told from Louis's point of view, but now the camera flips to the punk-rock Lestat, and Reid's hot and heavy depiction of the blonde creature of the night made famous in Anne Rice's novels and the 1994 film adaptation (played by Tom Cruise).
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punk
Adjective
-
Advertisement If something comes back at unacceptable levels, filtering is the next step—and the right filter depends on what's in your water.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 June 2026
-
Concern, because the violence and chaos in Hyde Park and elsewhere over the Memorial Day weekend are dangerous and unacceptable.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Historically, South America has proven irresistible to certain inhabitants of the northern hemisphere eager to escape the consequences of their terrible actions.—
David Futrelle,
Washington Post,
4 June 2026
-
In retrospect, the Supreme Court decision that opened the widespread legalization of sports betting was a terrible, terrible mistake.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
One night in April when the boy playing Orlando was home sick and Jamie was waiting for Adele in their private coital chamber, Bromley kept her late to work on the scene where Orlando courts Rosalind playing Ganymede playing Rosalind.—
Jonathan Franzen,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
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Recently, she’s begun to feel physically sick due to everything going on in her life and is sharing with us that she’s been struggling with getting up, eating and other simple, everyday things.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
And a new feature called side-slip control enabled even novice drivers to slide through corners like Ken Block.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
28 May 2026
-
To make the process even easier for novices, the M2 leverages AI to detect the type of materials inserted and automatically adjust the settings for cutting, engraving, or just scoring to make thinner materials easier to flex and fold.—
Andrew Liszewski,
The Verge,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The fact that this racist thug has been handed policing power by Netanyahu says more about the state of Israel’s democracy and political values—and in particular about the prime minister’s values—than many Israelis might like to admit.—
Avi Issacharoff,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
-
White thugs destroyed it in the 1921 Race Massacre.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The Paris police prefecture said smaller groups caused disturbances in various locations, with some vandalizing shops and setting fires to garbage and self-service bicycles in the streets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
-
Protesters were later seen pelting ICE vehicles with kitchen towels and trash as garbage littered the ground.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Black and white, right and wrong, cut and dried.—
Erika Ettin,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
The Angels brought a one-run lead into the seventh inning, and then just about everything went wrong in a seven-run inning that sent them to an 8-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
His slugging percentage is horrible.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
Some of it had to do with horrible tragedy, some because hopefuls could not see the math working out for them.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punk. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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