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
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Recent Examples of punk
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
The new album is described as leaning into the band's early post-punk and goth influences.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
The pioneers of punk music did it because the mainstream crowd hated it.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for punk
Adjective
Even the house’s actual residents were the right types—one was a post-punk musician Trier admired.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
The new album is described as leaning into the band's early post-punk and goth influences.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
The story follows two best friends fighting for survival in the 1990s East Bay punk scene, surrounded by poverty, drugs and danger.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
The pioneers of punk music did it because the mainstream crowd hated it.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for punk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punk
Adjective
-
Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Hufanga deemed that first-quarter Jeanty touchdown unacceptable because any touchdown is unacceptable at this point to Denver’s defense.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
-
History is full of cases where great bands make terrible records, yet history stands speechless at what the Clash accomplished here.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This leaves a sicker risk pool behind and drives premiums even higher for those who remain.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Humans who have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds infected with HPAI are the most at risk of becoming infected.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to the basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Both veteran and novice skiers were on our trip, guided by the father-son team at Spor Guiding, and appeared to be having the times of their lives.—
Susan B. Barnes,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Again, Maduro is a socialist thug.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
-
This is the underworld that Michlewitz and the rest of his thug pals come out of, and will protect at all costs.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
That’s the whole point of that process of aging and using garbage bags and paint.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Raising the city’s garbage fee was another structural solution that aldermen and the mayor opted to avoid because of similar political difficulties.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As analysis, that’s not wrong, but where’s the sting of it inside this bizarre bonbon of a musical?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Despite his brilliance and intellect, he was prevented from having a full life by being born on the wrong side of Israel’s separation fence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Are there horrible smells wafting around?—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Jimmy Kimmel was horrible, and some of these people.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punk. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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