as in stench
a strong unpleasant smell
the overpowering funk of rotten meat emanated from the garbage bin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in coward
a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger
he may be a strong, athletic guy, but he's a real funk when it comes to donating blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of funk
Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
Since as early on as his second album, the underrated 2015 collection The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, Clark has embraced everything from fuzzy rock to funk to Prince-ly psychedelia.
—Joe Gross, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
On a day the Sparks retired the jersey of the superstar whose departure has coincided with their five-year funk, Candace Parker nearly missed her pregame news conference.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for funk
Noun
All three are excellent musicians, but Spear is a marvel, playing with a fluid style that incorporates multiple influences, from rock to African to blues to funk to Duane Eddy twang, with an innate sense of melody that carries the entire band.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
Since as early on as his second album, the underrated 2015 collection The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, Clark has embraced everything from fuzzy rock to funk to Prince-ly psychedelia.
—Joe Gross, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
That crunch is cloaked in the flavorful funk of shrimp paste, chilies and lahpet (fermented tea leaves), creating a dish that’s a revelation for the sad Tupperware salad-eating masses.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
On a day the Sparks retired the jersey of the superstar whose departure has coincided with their five-year funk, Candace Parker nearly missed her pregame news conference.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for funk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funk
Verb
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Roth did not duck then and has not ducked, hedged or wavered since.—
John T. Shaw,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
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Once that one finished, and the racing got going, Verstappen and Piastri battled for first place – Verstappen ducking and weaving all over the track to defend his position, though ultimately Piastri passed the Red Bull driver relatively easily.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Verb
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For efficient and safe removal, residents should avoid stacking debris near trees, utility poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, or meters.—
Robbie Farias,
Austin American Statesman,
12 July 2025
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Together, the groups have created a high-tech stage in the upper stands, to avoid potentially damaging the pitch at halftime of such an important game, featuring 40,000 pounds of gear, scenery and structural trusses.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Verb
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To them, woke became synonymous with Cancel Culture, people being publicly shunned for their political views, and in some cases losing their career opportunities and social connections over them.—
John McDermott,
Rolling Stone,
6 July 2025
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Anti-Zionism rejects compromise, shuns a two-state solution and flattens a complex conflict to a simple morality play.—
Jason Nevarez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić shaking hands after signing bilateral documents during a meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 8, 2024.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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Nikki Bella and Lola Vice were shaking their hips in the middle of the ring, and Wade Barrett encouraged Michael Cole to show them what he’s got.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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But Maryland has so far dodged the worst of the insurance crisis.—
Scott Cohn,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
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The attorney general dodged another legal entanglement during the waning days of former President Joe Biden's administration when the Justice Department ended a criminal corruption investigation without filing charges.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Verb
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For more than two decades, a special team of Mexican police officers has quietly worked along the northern border to track down and deport foreign fugitives who cross into Mexico to escape criminal charges in their home countries.—
Time,
Time,
9 July 2025
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Jeremiah Estrada promptly struck out Eugenio Suarez to escape that jam, and Adrián Morejón left the bases loaded the next inning with a strikeout of Marte.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Funk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funk. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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