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
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 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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The award goes to one Bears rookie and one veteran player who exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Piccolo.— Eileen T. Meslar, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
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But instead of paving the way for some good ol’ fashioned infidelity, the liquid courage causes the women to turn on each other, with the evening devolving into inebriated insults and recriminations.— Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And yet … two things tend to translate, historically, from the regular season to the playoff grit and grind.— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
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The Pistons have built their success on toughness, grit and defense — the same qualities that once defined the Magic.— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The level of intense feelings that anchor the show requires mental fortitude, yes, but also open-hearted candor.— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
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Still, Robinson became one of the best players of his generation, possibly of all time, showing tremendous mental fortitude to go along with his elite athleticism.— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The individual nature of these conflicts meant the season lacked the catharsis of an entire team coming together to face the unimaginable with bravery and grace.— Selome Hailu, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
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Whereas the original book trilogy saw Tris choose Dauntless, the faction of bravery, in The Sixth Faction, tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, where her decision thrusts her into an underground rebellion.— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Small, repeatable choices will strengthen your stamina.— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
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Physical stamina and comfort preferences may evolve.— Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 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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The real guts of it has to come from them.— Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
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But anyone who doesn't have a high tolerance for blood and guts should stay far away.— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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When the skyscraper where Rayburn and his family lives is destroyed in an explosion, Creasy attempts to regain his military prowess in his determination to protect Rayburn’s rebellious teen daughter Poe (Billie Boullet), who has been targeted by the terrorists.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
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The villain, though, is not Michael Jackson but his father, Joe, whose determination to get his boys out of Gary, Indiana, turns into something more poisonous.— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/spunk. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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