as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something
I have to wash my hands; I got gunk all over them somehow
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gunk
This water flosser is easy to use and thorough, getting between each chomper with a precise stream of water, clearing plaque, gunk, and making your dentist proud.
—
Annie Blackman, Allure, 23 May 2025
The team also tried to retrieve genetic material from the skull’s dental calculus — the gunk left on teeth that can over time form a hard layer and preserve DNA from the mouth.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
Make sure to thoroughly clean the top, bottom, and between slats (if there's room) to eradicate all the gunk that may cause a sour smell or a slippery, dangerous surface.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Then scrub away any gunk with a non-scratch sponge.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Annie Blackman, Allure, 23 May 2025
The team also tried to retrieve genetic material from the skull’s dental calculus — the gunk left on teeth that can over time form a hard layer and preserve DNA from the mouth.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
Make sure to thoroughly clean the top, bottom, and between slats (if there's room) to eradicate all the gunk that may cause a sour smell or a slippery, dangerous surface.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Then scrub away any gunk with a non-scratch sponge.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunk
Noun
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Many swimmers are using the pool to wash their feet or their sandals, clogging the water with dirt and sand.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
24 July 2025
-
Mussolini tore down the housing and filled some of the tunnels with dirt to stabilize the hill above as part of his grand revitalization plan to modernize the Italian capital.—
Antonia Mortensen,
CNN Money,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Dredging would have removed about four to five feet of muck and other material from the floor of the lake, increasing its depth to 12 feet in some places.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
20 July 2025
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And years of exposure to heat, chemicals, and environmental muck can also strip away some of your hair’s natural gloss, leaving it looking duller, Dr. Lo Sicco notes.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
The victory continues England’s success at major international tournaments, with this marking the team’s third final in a row; the Lionesses won the Women’s Euros on home soil in 2022 and lost to Spain in the World Cup final in 2023.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
23 July 2025
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The book deftly expresses both grief for all of the violence perpetrated on American soil and a profound love for all of the beings that inhabit this continent.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
There were torrential rains in Italy's north on Monday and parts of Bardonecchia near Turin were covered in sludge after the Frejus river burst its banks.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 June 2025
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In one video shared in April, taken deep inside a large karst cave, manure could be seen pouring through holes in the ceiling, forming sludge pools while staining the white stalactites black.—
Karla Cripps,
CNN Money,
17 June 2025
Noun
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However, the sewer expansion project was, at least in part, meant to accommodate a larger amount of sewage overflow from a growing population in the area from places like Sunrock.—
Jolene Almendarez,
The Enquirer,
15 July 2025
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The notice states that Oakland County was previously notified of the need to address the sewage overflows in violation notices issued on Sept. 21, 2023, and April 29, 2025.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
This isn't just unsanitary—the buildup of crud could eventually interfere with your mixer's moving parts.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 May 2025
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This entry’s crud, on the other hand, is piled digitally in an INBOX.—
Sam Corbin,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Noun
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The Bureau of Rodent Control has been increasing collaboration with the Bureau of Sanitation to replace faulty garbage carts, which rats can exploit to obtain more food.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
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Another item that is often forgotten is garbage bags for collecting waste along the way, especially when passing through remote areas without public bins.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunk. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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