Funk

/fʌŋk/

Synonyms for "funk" (117 found)

Ranked by relevance and common usage.

Closest matches (24)

abject fearaffrightalarmawebabyback outbig babyblenchblinkblue funkbogglechange colorchickenchicken liverchicken outconsternationcowardcowardicecravencringe
Noun(3 words)
balkblue funkcringe
Verb(1 words)

Strong matches (35)

curdle the blooddastarddesert under firedismaydisquietdraw backdreadfalterfearflinchfraid-catfraidy catfraidy-catfreezefrightfrightenfunk outfunkerget cold feetgrow pale
Show 6 more words
Noun(6 words)
depressionfetorfunk genrefunk stylegroove musichesitate
Verb(3 words)

Related words (58)

lose couragemake one tremblemilksopmilquetoastmousepalepanicpanic fearphobiapoltroonquailquitterraise apprehensionsrecoilreeksadnessscarescaredy catscaredy-catscuttle
Show 24 more words
shakeshrinksissyskedaddlespookstaggerstampedestartlestenchstinktake alarmtake frightterrorturn colorturn paleunholy dreadunmanunnerveunstringweak sisterweaklingwhite featherwhite liverwince

Choosing the right synonym

  • Closest matches in this entry: abject fear, affright, alarm, awe, baby.
  • Sentence evidence is available for funk, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
  • Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, wordnet, wiktionary, and related lexical sources.

Synonym selection checklist

  • Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
  • Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
  • Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "funk".
  • Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.

When not to replace "funk"

Keep "funk" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.

If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.

Replacement workflow

1. Preserve meaning

Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "funk" intact in the sentence you are editing.

2. Tune tone

Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.

3. Re-read context

Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.

Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.

Final fit check

After choosing a replacement for "funk", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.

If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "funk" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.

Related word relations

OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.

5 relation types

More general

13 entries
actionbehaviordepressionemotional statejazzmoodmovemusicmusical genreolfactory sensationpsychological statesensory perceptionsmell

More specific

10 entries
baildepressive episodeduckfetid odorfetorfunk rockfusion funkpsychedelic funkshirktemporary mood

Collocations

7 entries
funk bassfunk erafunk groovefunk musicfunk rhythmfunk stylein a funk

Inflections

3 entries

Derivations

3 entries

Sample sentences

26 total sentences available.

Tatoeba + Wiktionary

This song samples a bunch of old American funk records from the 70s using equipment from the 90s.

Source: tatoeba (712489)

This is the gladdest I've seen him since his mother died. He'd been in a funk for so long and, God, I was so worried about him.

Source: tatoeba (887671)

Tom was in a funk.

Source: tatoeba (10104652)

Tom was in a funk band.

Source: tatoeba (10104653)

Showing 4 of 26 available sentences.

Common questions

What are the closest synonyms for "funk"?

Closest matches include abject fear, affright, alarm, awe, baby.

How should I check whether a synonym fits "funk"?

Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.

More for "funk"