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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spunk
Last time out, the 49ers eventually showed spunk pursuing the Cleveland Browns’ Shedeur Sanders, producing three sacks in a 26-8 win Nov. 30.
—
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 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
People on TikTok were taken by Reagan's sudden spunk.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Howard preferred simmer to boil, sugar to sass, and never lacked spunk.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunk
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 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
People on TikTok were taken by Reagan's sudden spunk.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Howard preferred simmer to boil, sugar to sass, and never lacked spunk.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunk
Noun
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There is always a final shot — the one taken out of misplaced faith that courage can be distilled.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
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February 19 – March 20 When kindness meets courage, hearts feel safe.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For even more carb-friendly pairing ideas, Pasquariello suggests whole-grain toast, sautéed potatoes, grits, or even a piece of fruit.—
Ashia Aubourg,
Outside,
8 Feb. 2026
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However, kids need to be challenged in order to develop the skills, tenacity, grit, and self-reliance needed to (eventually) function in the world on their own.—
Alanna Gallo,
Parents,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That probably takes as much strength and fortitude as taking a knee when no one else will.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
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Those who had greater mental fortitude—the ability to find emotional steadiness when faced with a traumatic event—fared better than those with less resilience who were hit with the same diagnosis.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But nothing compared to Vietnam when showcasing Black bravery, strength, and even political expression in the war zones of Southeast Asia.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
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In the sub-zero temperatures of winter, everyday Minnesotans have showed the nation their bravery, empathy and decency in the face of rogue agents masquerading as law enforcement officers.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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To have the stamina, and also to have the audience...—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
2 Feb. 2026
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Later this month and March ratchet between ideas and low confidence, plans and deception, control and discouragement, stamina and disappointment.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Feb. 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
-
This takes a lot of guts, Lind says.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Both are up to the task, grounding these sometimes floaty proceedings in some human guts and grit.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Her determination, her grit, her willingness to get her hands dirty, really shows on the screen.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
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The 2009 Environmental Protection Agency endangerment finding was a determination that pollutants from developing and burning fossil fuels, such as methane and carbon dioxide, can be regulated under the Clean Air Act.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunk. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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