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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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
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This is a chance to rewrite an old memory with compassion and quiet courage.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
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The director, who wanted to tell an epic adventure where emotional courage was as powerful as magic, crafted this tale about identity, sisterhood and belonging, aimed at family audiences with strong crossover appeal for epic fantasy audiences, with strong female leads.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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By channeling talent and grit, Bhatia proved a deserving winner the galleries at Bay Hill could get behind.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
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Conning off the bench, Harvey showed determination and grit with his hustle plays.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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If winning is the only goal, then war is, by profound inference, a game, a test of masculine fortitude.—
Casey Ryan Kelly,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
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Minutes later, that had ballooned to a 24-2 avalanche, with UNC completely buried — like almost every Duke opponent the last month — by the Blue Devils’ length and defensive fortitude.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Family friends say the crash not only left the community heartbroken but also revealed an extraordinary act of bravery by one of the surviving children.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Mamdani thanked both men for their bravery after also recognizing them in a private meeting.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The scrutinizing and psychoanalyzing continues like Luka Doncic screaming at the refs — incessantly, and with impressive stamina.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Beats Earbuds Deal The Beats Studio Buds + earbuds are engineered for those who refuse to compromise on sound or stamina.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
5 Mar. 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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History’s Greatest Machines with Dolph Lundgren sees the Rocky IV star, who has a background in chemical engineering, look at the gears, guts, and genius behind the machines that reshaped our world.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
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But if disaster does strike and AI guts software revenues, creditors holding the high ground are in far better shape than the equityholders at sea level, who will be swamped.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Although efforts to stop the measure from appearing on the ballot on April 21 have failed, the state Supreme Court has already said the legal determination of whether the amendment is constitutional will be decided in court after voting has taken place.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
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The Golden Hawks put their heart and determination on display again Tuesday, coming back from a 14-point, third-quarter deficit to beat Leuzinger, 61-56, in the CIF Southern California Regional Division III championship game at El Dorado High.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunk. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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