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
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 10 Dec. 2024
The Ramones helped bring punk music to the masses beginning in the mid-70s.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 5 May 2025
In videos and photos on social media, Leake, now in his early fifties, had the aura of an elder-statesman goth punk.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punk
Adjective
The five smudge shades are named after punk music culture.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 10 Dec. 2024
The Ramones helped bring punk music to the masses beginning in the mid-70s.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Noun
Gwyneth Paltrow Speaking of what constitutes punk, in this case, are dress codes so inherently establishment that to adhere to them would be not-punk, regardless of the dress code's specific parameters?
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 5 May 2025
In videos and photos on social media, Leake, now in his early fifties, had the aura of an elder-statesman goth punk.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punk
Adjective
-
The first project yields too many false positives, introducing an unacceptable amount of friction into the consumer experience.—
Shazia Manus,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
But violence, vandalism or destruction of property are completely unacceptable.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
There’s no doubt that Lewis, abandoned as a baby by his parents, has done some horrible stuff.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
26 May 2025
-
What happened to Simone as a child is horrible, and in her brain, she is therefore absolved of having anything to do with her father.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Each year, about 48 million people in the U.S. get sick with foodborne illnesses, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Stephanie Armour,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
-
The best defense remains up-to-date vaccination, testing when symptomatic, masking in crowded indoor spaces, and staying home when sick.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Like sommeliers who make wine accessible to novices while satisfying connoisseurs, effective tech leaders communicate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences.—
Dennis Kozak,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Unfortunately, many new nurses leave their programs without adequate hands-on experience and confidence, putting pressure on experienced nurses to mentor novices without additional compensation for training.—
Shakira Henderson,
Sun Sentinel,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
Their reckless, soft-on-crime policies emboldened criminals and thugs; wreaked havoc on the sanctity of our homes, businesses, and public spaces; instilled fear; and jeopardized public trust.—
Jenna deJong,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
-
That theft is believed to have led to the brazen kidnapping in suburban Connecticut of the parents of one of Lam’s alleged co-conspirators by a crew of thugs from Florida who prosecutors say planned to hold the parents for ransom from their newly rich son.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Any actor that’s been working for over three decades has a giant garbage bag filled of pilots.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2025
-
Bears are generally solitary, shy animals but are food-driven and often find easy meals in garbage bins.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
Ship was heading the wrong direction The training ship arrived at New York's Pier 17 and was open to the public to visit from May 13 to 17, according to the Mexican Consulate in New York.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Baltimore deserves credit for stepping up and sending Tullis-Joyce the wrong way, particularly against a cacophonous backdrop of angry United fans behind that goal.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
One night the fish was very overcooked and covered with a terrible sauce.—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
-
Djokovic knew he’d be seeded to play one of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev or Taylor Fritz in the quarters, and in the end landed Zverev, which isn’t a terrible outcome, but would leave him with a possible Sinner-Alcaraz double bill in the semifinals and final to lift the trophy.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punk. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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