funk 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈfəŋk How to pronounce funk (audio)
Definition of funknext
as in stench
a strong unpleasant smell the overpowering funk of rotten meat emanated from the garbage bin

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

funk

2 of 3

noun (2)

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

funk

3 of 3

verb

as in to duck

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of funk
Noun
If the household has a stronger funk lately, the culprit may be sitting in the pantry, not the laundry basket. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026 As the band turns one of Wonder’s ever-climbing chord progressions into a frisky funk jam, his vocals cut loose more with every chorus. — Jon Pareles, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
This public artwork and its function — as in, this party and the space’s purpose — feels like a mirror, a temple to self, a shrine to funk, a dedication and invitation to experience what is still so divine and aspirational about the present moment. — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026 Music fans are still mourning the death of legendary singer D’Angelo and lauding how the vastness of his musical experiences, from gospel to funk to soul, permeates his catalog. — Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for funk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funk
  1. stench
  2. coward
  3. duck
  4. chicken
  5. avoid
  6. shun
  7. shake
  8. dodge
Noun
  • In the weeks after, more than 85 million pounds of rotting food being kept at the cold storage facility began to rot, leaving a putrid stench lingering over the area that led to infestations of rats, flies and other rodents.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The family lived in a company house beside a petroleum plant; Metze recalled waking as a child to the stench of kerosene.
    — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of stench
Noun
  • There are always vultures circling, and always cowards caving.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • To me, moral cowards are those leaders around the world who refuse to sit down and negotiate a just and lasting peace.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of coward
Verb
  • All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The system enables robots to choose different ways of passing through tight spaces, including stepping over objects, ducking under barriers, and turning sideways to fit through narrow gaps.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of duck
Noun
  • The chicken’s accompaniment of roasted and pickled vegetables provided a light, pleasant contrast to the meat.
    — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Remove pan from heat and return brussels sprouts and chicken to pan; top with 1 cup salted roasted pecans, coarsely chopped.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of chicken
Verb
  • Rates actually continued to increase after the Society of Surgical Oncology adopted the guidelines in 2016, even though patients who received the biopsy were not more likely to survive or avoid recurrence.
    — Allessandra DiCorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Clapp said the firm focuses on avoiding highly leveraged companies and floating-rate debt, instead favoring investments with dependable cash flows to support clients over the long term.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • Although she was found not guilty the following year, Lizzie was shunned by her community after the trial and spent the rest of her life in relative isolation.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The mares are now shunning poor Valentine, which Puckett hopes is only temporary.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of shun
Verb
  • In Panama City, about 125 miles from the earthquake’s epicentral area, residents rushed from high-rise buildings when the ground began shaking Friday.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • When war breaks out, he is shaken from his sleep and runs for an air-raid shelter.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • He's accused the Democrat of dodging questions about his own record and trying to distract voters with personal attacks.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Satellites frequently have to dodge other satellites, particularly as LEO becomes ever more crowded.
    — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of dodge

Browse Nearby Words

fungicides
funk
funked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Funk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funk. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on funk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about funk

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