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
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
-
Both Judge Lang and Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden applauded the victim’s courage.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
-
One drink opened the chest, two turned fear into courage’s cheap cousin, three steadied the hand enough to write the future in invisible ink.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
There might be a fight to escape, but even those few who crawl over rocks and grit and sand to reach terra firma find their surroundings changed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
All of the classic, comforting flavors of good old shrimp and grits come together in easy, casserole form.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
For Garcia, that sense of something built by instinct and fortitude is part of what makes the next chapter feel so charged.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Like my predecessors, my life has been grounded in faith and fortitude.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hannah Einbinder speaks about the cowardice of Hollywood on the Gaza genocide contrasted with Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil’s bravery.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
12 May 2026
-
There is still so much decency, intelligence, curiosity, kindness, and bravery among the people who work (or worked, before they were fired) in our government.—
Time,
Time,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Training to Be Ellie Houston The performance has been months in the making, with Ellie deep in rehearsals and training to get her stamina half-time ready.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
9 May 2026
-
Used for stress, focus, fatigue, and stamina (NCCIH).—
Ryan Brennan
May 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
That mix of stubbornness and courageousness is what endeared Snider to fans and peers alike.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
15 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Allin, showing his guts, kept his pursuit of glory.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
That hole in my guts would have been partially filled.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Bates also expressed concern that, under the Administration’s view of the case, its determination that the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional cannot be challenged in court.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
There is a hyper awareness to TSADACM, a determination to point out each of its Easter eggs and allusions, lest the viewer think Schoenbrun is trying to outsmart anyone.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunk. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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