1
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
she plays a punk game of tennis, so you won't have any trouble beating her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in horrible
extremely unsatisfactory
the acting in the movie ranged all the way from poor to punk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body
I've been feeling punk today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
an impertinent punk who was trying to tell senior colleagues how to do their jobs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
the vigilante was hailed by some as a hero for standing up to the punks who had repeatedly threatened his family
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in garbage
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
claims made by cosmetic companies about their antiaging creams that turned out to be a lot of punk
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of punk
Ian Penman, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
The five smudge shades are named after punk music culture.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 10 Dec. 2024
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 May 2025
Australian punk band Private Function debut at No. 43 with ¯_(ツ)_/¯, which includes a limited-edition scratch-and-sniff vinyl inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop fragrance.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punk
Adjective
Dammers’s recollection of this time will strike a chord with many people who were there:
For me, reggae made punk gigs bearable.
—Ian Penman, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
The five smudge shades are named after punk music culture.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
The theme magnifies subcultures by combining elements of punk, goth, grunge and metal.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 May 2025
Australian punk band Private Function debut at No. 43 with ¯_(ツ)_/¯, which includes a limited-edition scratch-and-sniff vinyl inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop fragrance.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punk
Adjective
-
And sometimes the soldiers can do things which are totally unacceptable and can be called crimes.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
-
Tools that pose an unacceptable threat to rights or safety are banned outright.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Even with the horrible start the Red Sox still nearly came all the way back, twice drawing to within one run, but the club couldn’t get over the hump.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2025
-
Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
There is another current salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers that has already left 45 people sick and 16 hospitalized across 18 states.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Some of the samples tested positive for Salmonella and additional testing found that the samples were closely related to the Salmonella found in sick people.—
Amber Brenza,
Health,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
Gear that is more accessible to novices, social media posts from beautiful locales and a false sense of security carrying a cellphone creates may all be playing a role here.—
Amanda Loudin,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
Beginners and families can warm up on the .25-mile Gold Bug Loop, while novice riders looking to improve their freeride skills can cruise down Tommyknocker (5.8 miles).—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Summit, June 10 Image So Far Gone by Jess Walter Rhys Kinnick, a journalist and a recluse, is living off the grid in the woods near Spokane, Wash., when his grandchildren are kidnapped by thugs.—
Laura Thompson,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
Everything changes, however, when two thugs come to visit and promptly beat the ever-loving heck out of Hank at the front door.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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With the welcome citywide expansion of organic collection (brown bins) joining with paper (green bins) and metal, glass and plastic (blue bins), the remaining black bag garbage will be made of nonrecyclable items like those same thin plastics that Sims rejects that are used for wrapping or bags.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
8 June 2025
-
The teen was found dismembered in garbage bags in a remote area, NBC News previously reported.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
And then what happens when taxpayers are given the wrong answer?—
Tax Notes Staff,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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For HBCUs, the moment is reminiscent of the era decades ago when Black colleges were compelled to argue that school segregation was wrong but also needed to maintain government support for their institutions, said Marybeth Gasman, a Rutgers University professor who has studied the history of HBCUs.—
Cheyanne Mumphrey,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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And these are the same Oilers who, after a terrible 6-1 loss in Game 3 to the Panthers, overcame a three-goal deficit in Game 4 to even the series.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
-
Outside of getting to play a grand slam event in his backyard, Thomas has been downright terrible in the sport's four biggest tournaments.—
Gerrit Ritt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punk. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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