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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
-
Women’s sports were not created because women lacked talent, discipline or courage.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Last night, those journalists showed exactly the kind of calm and courage that work demands, jumping into reporting immediately after the incident unfolded.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
West Indian and African seasonings and recipes merged with Low Country staples like rice, grits, kitchen garden vegetables, pork, and seafood.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
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As Rachel learns about the family curse that threatens her and her betrothed, Morrone digs in with emotional complexity and real grit.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Semiconductor leadership One of the best indicators of a bull market’s fortitude is whether semiconductor stocks are leading.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
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But there was much more good than bad for Cole, whose velocity, efficiency and fortitude all stood out.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
Noun
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For his bravery, Liam was presented with a certificate, a Baltimore County Police plastic badge, and a plastic police officer duckie in front of his class at Honeygo Elementary School, alongside his principal, the school's student resource officer, and his mom.—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
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The guide who accompanies you will happily memorialize your bravery (and your love) with the obligatory kissing shots along the way.—
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Powershift is trying the 10-furlong distance for the first time, but his pedigree screams stamina.—
Teresa Genaro,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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But a new book by former first lady Jill Biden suggests that these reassuring portraits of an octogenarian president with enviable stamina were embellished.—
Kaylah Jackson,
NBC news,
3 June 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
-
Five lining it up with four, leaving your guts and your heart out there.—
Tim Willert,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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No formula or spreadsheet measures guts.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Frustrated at the lack of evidence and feeling the heat of the gutter press, their determination to hone in on their sole suspect would be laughable if not for the catastrophic consequences.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
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Deborah’s determination to perform at Madison Square Garden takes the crew to New York City.—
Alexandra Jhamb Burns,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunk. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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