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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Recent Examples of gunk
How to treat forehead acne Dr. Libby recommends washing with a gentle cleanser that has salicylic acid, which is able to penetrate the pores and dislodge some of the gunk that could be causing the breakout in the first place.
—
Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 20 Aug. 2025
In the days of fireplaces and oil lamps, the soot and gunk in the air tended to settle on the tops of books.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
This deep-cleansing formula, powered by salicylic acid, goes beyond the surface to lift away oil, product buildup, and all that environmental gunk that can clog pores and lead to irritation.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 13 Aug. 2025
From hydrocolloid patches to neutralizing gels, few — at least in my experience — actually reduce redness, draw out gunk, and heal breakouts quickly.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 20 Aug. 2025
In the days of fireplaces and oil lamps, the soot and gunk in the air tended to settle on the tops of books.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
This deep-cleansing formula, powered by salicylic acid, goes beyond the surface to lift away oil, product buildup, and all that environmental gunk that can clog pores and lead to irritation.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 13 Aug. 2025
From hydrocolloid patches to neutralizing gels, few — at least in my experience — actually reduce redness, draw out gunk, and heal breakouts quickly.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunk
Noun
-
Start at the top and work your way down, gently rubbing away any dirt.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The Mountain View Fire Protection District and Boulder County sheriff’s deputies responded when neighbors reported the fire, and the cult members extinguished the blaze by burying it with dirt.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
McMillan looks like a future star Lost in the muck of the overall offensive performance against the Cardinals was McMillan.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Sep. 2025
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The study recommends strategic test areas of algicide and treatments to sequester nutrients after large-scale mechanical clearing of the muck.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In the following years, MSF provided chelation to thousands of children and the government and community organizations undertook the complex job of environmental remediation, laying fresh soil over acres of contaminated land to prevent continued poisoning.—
Tom Frieden,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
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Cover the pot and the bottom few inches of the rose canes with soil, then add a layer of mulch for insulation.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And at least one section became known for the bubbles produced by toxic sludge on its floor.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
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The Little Calumet, just blocks from where Steagall used to live, had shores like quicksand from all the toxic sludge and the Grand Calumet River was one of the most polluted bodies of water emptying into Lake Michigan.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Daniel's did address the town's request to upgrade sewage systems at the site with the support of a $189,000 investment from McCordsville.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
29 Sep. 2025
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Israel would also have to restore humanitarian aid shipments and begin reconstruction of water, electricity and sewage infrastructure in Gaza.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This isn't just unsanitary—the buildup of crud could eventually interfere with your mixer's moving parts.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
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Baking soda and water can be a good, inexpensive mixture to clean corrosion and crud from a car battery.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Near my hotel, a few blocks from the Torre K23, there were several dumpsters overflowing with garbage.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
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There's a different take on a post apocalyptic universe where the world is made of plastic and not garbage.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunk. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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