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
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Recent Examples of spunk
Grossmont showed some spunk, rallying for three runs in the bottom of the inning.
—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Still, the Marty Supreme star and Best Actor nominee brought the same spunk and confidence to the red carpet that his on-screen counterpart brought to the ping-pong table.
—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
15 Mar. 2026
But by the time of his individual short program Tuesday night, Malinin's fearless swagger and unrivaled spunk was back.
—
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for spunk
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Still, the Marty Supreme star and Best Actor nominee brought the same spunk and confidence to the red carpet that his on-screen counterpart brought to the ping-pong table.
—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
15 Mar. 2026
But by the time of his individual short program Tuesday night, Malinin's fearless swagger and unrivaled spunk was back.
—
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for spunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunk
Noun
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Their courage quickly wavers in the face of the location’s eerie atmosphere and the deafening sound of cicadas.
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That courage is greater than talent, and people remember who had it.
Noun
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The fans got their wish after a roller coaster of emotions as Team USA, down a man for the final 36 minutes after a Folarin Balogun red card, showed grit, poise and never-say-die attitude to hang on for a 2-0 win to advance to the Round of 16.
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Surviving a World Cup knockout-stage brawl takes a special kind of grit.
Noun
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What sets him apart is his character, mental fortitude and sheer physical resilience.
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There may have been flaws in the analysis provided to the president before his decision to strike, or if there weren’t, then no one in the intelligence community had the fortitude or gravitas to help the president understand the realities of the situation.
Noun
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Just watching as a fan from a distance, I was impressed by her bravery.
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There has been an outpouring of support on social media for those who stopped to help, heralding their bravery and selflessness.
Noun
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Be honest about your age, health and stamina.
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In Taurus, however, the red planet trades speed for stamina.
Noun
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That mix of stubbornness and courageousness is what endeared Snider to fans and peers alike.
Noun
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After dropping out of high school in 1922, Ed Link followed his father into the family business, learning how bellows and pneumatic pressure—the guts of organs—could be made to simulate movement.
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In one montage played for laughs, an emperor is squashed by a panda and a king is beheaded, although there is no blood or guts to speak of.
Noun
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Croatia returned from the hydration break with determination, forcing Panama to play its game for the first time so far.
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Sayers, however, appealed the OOR’s determination to the Centre County Court of Common Pleas.
Cite this Entry
“Spunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunk. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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