1
as in novices
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thugs
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of punks
Their unpermitted April 2021 show at Lafayette Park in Westlake, publicized through social media and word of mouth, drew thousands of pent-up punks and kids looking for somewhere to go during the shutdown.
—
Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
The Philadelphia punks sound like they were swept off to the Middle Ages in a mosh pit and immediately started a revolution.
—Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
The writer, perhaps best known for his best-selling Something is Killing the Children, is teaming up with Marguerite Bennett for Odin, a new original horror comic book series that sees neo-Nazi punks face ancient Norse beings.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
This decade alone, the same South Minneapolis punks currently protesting in the streets lived through the uprising around George Floyd’s murder and the Nudieland punk house shooting, which resulted in multiple injuries and the death of August Golden.
—Evan Minsker, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
Directed by James Buddy Day, 40 Years of F**kin’ Up traces NOFX’s evolution from teenage punks to one of the most influential and polarising bands in modern punk history.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2026
For example, in Granada, there is a community of ravers, punks, that have been there since the time of Margaret Thatcher.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2025
All these young punks and musical savants appearing under the repressive atmosphere of the academy may require some suspension of disbelief (as does Lilisa’s gravity-defying hair).
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
The lower-cut model was designed for factory floors and workshops but was quickly adopted by punks and other subcultures.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
The Philadelphia punks sound like they were swept off to the Middle Ages in a mosh pit and immediately started a revolution.
—Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
The writer, perhaps best known for his best-selling Something is Killing the Children, is teaming up with Marguerite Bennett for Odin, a new original horror comic book series that sees neo-Nazi punks face ancient Norse beings.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
This decade alone, the same South Minneapolis punks currently protesting in the streets lived through the uprising around George Floyd’s murder and the Nudieland punk house shooting, which resulted in multiple injuries and the death of August Golden.
—Evan Minsker, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
Directed by James Buddy Day, 40 Years of F**kin’ Up traces NOFX’s evolution from teenage punks to one of the most influential and polarising bands in modern punk history.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2026
For example, in Granada, there is a community of ravers, punks, that have been there since the time of Margaret Thatcher.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2025
All these young punks and musical savants appearing under the repressive atmosphere of the academy may require some suspension of disbelief (as does Lilisa’s gravity-defying hair).
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
The lower-cut model was designed for factory floors and workshops but was quickly adopted by punks and other subcultures.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punks
Noun
-
In contrast, a study led by Active Site, a research nonprofit that studies the use of AI in synthetic biology, found that AI help did not lead to significant differences in the ability of novices to complete the complex workflow to produce a virus in a biosafety laboratory.—
Stephen D. Turner,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The beginners class is for novices 18 and older who want instruction and practice combined with play, according to the Dundee Township Park District website.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The thugs would insinuate themselves into the confidence of wayfarers and, when a favorable opportunity presented itself, strangle them by throwing a handkerchief or noose around their necks.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
-
No government masked thugs shooting down our neighbors in the streets.—
Diego Parrado,
Vanity Fair,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Group of beginners, hobbyists and professionals who like to take and share photos.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Although the dispensary does sell some low-potency products meant for beginners or microdosing, the focus here is on full-strength THC products, including cannabis flower, vapes, beverages and edibles.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The scheme is designed to identify suspected criminals, combat identity fraud, and to police the EU's limit on 90-day stays within a 180-day period, according to the European Commission.—
Emma Clarke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Rex Heuermann, the man known as the Gilgo Beach killer, admitted to killing eight women over a span of decades, and the FBI is now looking into what motivated the 62-year-old to carry out his crimes to help capture other criminals in the future.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During the Renaissance, master painters typically employed apprentices to work alongside them as the apprentices learned their craft.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Some of the kinder ones would give a Christmas tip if the apprentices did a good job cleaning their boots but others, basking in the new money of the Premier League, preferred to peacock.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Violent gangsters ran fentanyl and human smuggling over the Rio Grande.—
Ioan Grillo,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
-
They get captured by Hungarian gangsters and have to fight (and kill) their way out of an inn run by a shady former dance prodigy (Uma Thurman).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On a training camp roster that features 11 newcomers to the Sun, Leger-Walker and Kneepkens came in with an instant chemistry and understanding of each other’s games that is helping their integration with the rest of the team.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
-
After a turbulent 2025 season at the quarterback position, marred by injuries, shaky decision making, and constant pressure, the signal-caller room returns with valuable experience, bolstered by two newcomers who have already made a strong early impression.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
An unusual theft at a Pennsylvania Wawa has police going bananas for a pair of potassium bandits.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Set against mountainous landscapes and rural lakes, the story follows a wandering swordsman who is falsely accused of stealing a shipment of gold and must unravel a web of intrigue involving bandits, palace guards and corrupt officials while attempting to clear his name.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punks. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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