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
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Recent Examples of spunk
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
Animal-print chairs maintain a bit of spunk in the now bright, airy rooms, as do ornate dark wood bedside tables.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Each design also has its own energy and spunk!
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Dallas’ defense showed some spunk, even factoring in the matchup against an offense that ranked 30th in the NFL coming into the game.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunk
Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Animal-print chairs maintain a bit of spunk in the now bright, airy rooms, as do ornate dark wood bedside tables.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Each design also has its own energy and spunk!
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Dallas’ defense showed some spunk, even factoring in the matchup against an offense that ranked 30th in the NFL coming into the game.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunk
Noun
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Both Judge Lang and Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden applauded the victim’s courage.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
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One drink opened the chest, two turned fear into courage’s cheap cousin, three steadied the hand enough to write the future in invisible ink.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
There might be a fight to escape, but even those few who crawl over rocks and grit and sand to reach terra firma find their surroundings changed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
All of the classic, comforting flavors of good old shrimp and grits come together in easy, casserole form.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Noun
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What isn’t debatable is that their blend of talent, experience and mental fortitude left them uniquely positioned to thrive under such tense conditions.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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Abbass gives a master class in less-is-more restraint in these scenes, her character’s fortitude severely challenged but unbroken by her years of suffering.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Shoal Creek Elementary School Principal Harmeena Omoto has been honored with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office Citizens of Courage Award for her acts of bravery amid threats of a mass shooting at her school.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
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Her perseverance and bravery are inspiring to the members of my office, and more importantly, to survivors everywhere.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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That's a ton of stamina, and right now HP has it on sale for $600 off.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
22 May 2026
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Scoring the extra-time winner showed his stamina and ability to find space on the field.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Noun
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That mix of stubbornness and courageousness is what endeared Snider to fans and peers alike.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
15 Nov. 2025
Noun
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As the realization that nothing—or no one—will be enough overcomes the final bridge, a flurry of drums gallop in and the track explodes into fireworks as Rodrigo screams her guts out.—
Quinn Moreland,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2026
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But the guts of his base remain unshaken, the most solid of any president in decades, a source of strength.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Malek’s brave and wonderfully lived-in performance is one that will be long remembered, a career high for this Oscar-winning actor who simply inhabits this man with dignity and determination, his days limited but his spirit untouched.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
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But Tusk said Europeans should be under no illusion about Washington’s determination to reduce its military presence on the continent and the need for Europeans to fill the gap.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunk. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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