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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spunk
Those recordings hold up for their crystalline sound and youthful spunk.
—
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Further, students should embrace their true voice in the letter, showing their quirks, personality, and spunk.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Like things could change for the better if only a few teenagers with the right balance of spunk and smarts showed up.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Think of Usher’s costume-leaning spunk, Erykah Badu’s eccentricity, Teyana Taylor’s punk sensibility, Lauryn Hill’s just-go-for-it attitude, and Gunna who is experimental at times.
—Julian Randall, Essence, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunk
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Further, students should embrace their true voice in the letter, showing their quirks, personality, and spunk.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Like things could change for the better if only a few teenagers with the right balance of spunk and smarts showed up.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Think of Usher’s costume-leaning spunk, Erykah Badu’s eccentricity, Teyana Taylor’s punk sensibility, Lauryn Hill’s just-go-for-it attitude, and Gunna who is experimental at times.
—Julian Randall, Essence, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunk
Noun
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New Yorkers have always risen to critical moments—demanding not perfection, but courage and connection.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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First and foremost, just the grit in our guys and in our group to keep a battling against a team that was moving the ball well.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
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With passion, perseverance and, yes, grit.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For Sheehan, who takes pride in coaching life lessons to his players, the victory stands as a building block for his program–and a chance to celebrate his team’s fortitude.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
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A lot of, uh, impressive mental fortitude is required to.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Tour the city’s downtown area with Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tour to learn all about the spirits who haunt the old Canfield Casino and Hattie’s restaurant, uncover the legend of the Witch of Saratoga, and test your bravery by taking a seat in the Saratoga Springs Devil’s Chair.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
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In Fire Country, bravery means everything — even at the risk of family.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Being proactive provides peace of mind and physical stamina as Mars and Neptune harmonize.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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There’s also an argument — and maybe this is just one for traditionalists — that football is also supposed to be, on some level, a test of individual stamina and adaptability.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Apollo, there’s a chance everyone will hate your guts in unison, and there’s no recovery.—
Nikki McCann Ramirez,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
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Cover the pumpkin guts with a pile of leaves or other brown materials, and make sure the bin is tightly sealed to keep animals out.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Our shareholders and clients have benefited enormously from Elon Musk's vision, determination and execution.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunk. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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