SPUNK Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

spunk

noun

ˈspəŋk

Definition of spunk

as in courage

the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship had the spunk to overcome a severe physical disability

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 spunk Grossmont showed some spunk, rallying for three runs in the bottom of the inning. — Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 Still, the Marty Supreme star and Best Actor nominee brought the same spunk and confidence to the red carpet that his on-screen counterpart brought to the ping-pong table. — Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 15 Mar. 2026 But by the time of his individual short program Tuesday night, Malinin's fearless swagger and unrivaled spunk was back. — CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026 Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings issued an emotional plea on Instagram for their mom's return, citing her spunk, her loving personality and her vulnerability. — Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spunk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunk

Noun

As their connection grows, each of them helps give the other the courage to step outside their comfort zones and find new joy — and possibly love — in unexpected ways.

— Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Sir Patrick Stewart's most famous characters tackled concepts such as honor, morality and courage.

— Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of courage

Noun

Southern essentials such as brisket, Nashville hot chicken and grits round out the menu.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Saturday’s offerings include the ribs plate and the signature platter called the Deep Cut, while Sunday’s menu includes a pork belly plate with cheesy grits and slaw and a smoked, griddled and cheesed burger.

— Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of grit

Noun

But more importantly — and what comes with age — is having the fortitude not to follow them.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
That mental fortitude stood out to Green during a minor-league game in which Voit started 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of fortitude

Noun

Wawrinka’s bravery is what struck those who were there, including Djokovic.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
But a rally outside Wednesday's meet — where the boy finished second among a field of 25 to help lead Camas to the girls district championship — showed that the adults are catching up in the bravery department.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of bravery

Noun

In a world where students are averaging seven and a half hours a day on screens and attention spans are waning, Connecticut teachers say that students’ reading stamina and comprehension are declining.

— Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
Muscle strength and stamina improve with consistency, and in this case, slow and steady does win the race.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of stamina

Noun

Some of my earliest memories include sitting around the kitchen table watching my mom pull out the stringy pumpkin guts so my dad could carve a silly face on it.

— Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Once the case is cracked, the third act shifts hard into monster movie mode, complete with plenty of practical blood, guts and werewolf nastiness.

— William Earl, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of guts

Noun

The 15-year-old Ghanaian immigrant shot to death on his way to his Bronx school recently wrote in his diary about his determination to continue his studies and find success in America.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
All of those assertions, however, rested on the critical determinations made by the scientists handling the storage chapter.

— Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of determination

Browse Nearby Words

spun

spunk

spunkily

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“Spunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunk. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of spunk

noun

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