1
as in novices
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thugs
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of punks
Music zines often had the same format, columns from semi-famous punks, interviews with up-and-coming bands, record reviews, and, always shunted to the back, zine reviews.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
What began seven years ago as a freewheeling alt-country outlet for Max Bottner, formerly of Indiana egg-punks Liquids and the anarchist hardcore band Side Action, eventually expanded to a full band.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
And everyone else was private school punks.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Their unpermitted April 2021 show at Lafayette Park in Westlake, publicized through social media and word of mouth, drew thousands of pent-up punks and kids looking for somewhere to go during the shutdown.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
This decade alone, the same South Minneapolis punks currently protesting in the streets lived through the uprising around George Floyd’s murder and the Nudieland punk house shooting, which resulted in multiple injuries and the death of August Golden.
—Evan Minsker, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
Directed by James Buddy Day, 40 Years of F**kin’ Up traces NOFX’s evolution from teenage punks to one of the most influential and polarising bands in modern punk history.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2026
For example, in Granada, there is a community of ravers, punks, that have been there since the time of Margaret Thatcher.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2025
All these young punks and musical savants appearing under the repressive atmosphere of the academy may require some suspension of disbelief (as does Lilisa’s gravity-defying hair).
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
What began seven years ago as a freewheeling alt-country outlet for Max Bottner, formerly of Indiana egg-punks Liquids and the anarchist hardcore band Side Action, eventually expanded to a full band.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
And everyone else was private school punks.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Their unpermitted April 2021 show at Lafayette Park in Westlake, publicized through social media and word of mouth, drew thousands of pent-up punks and kids looking for somewhere to go during the shutdown.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
This decade alone, the same South Minneapolis punks currently protesting in the streets lived through the uprising around George Floyd’s murder and the Nudieland punk house shooting, which resulted in multiple injuries and the death of August Golden.
—Evan Minsker, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
Directed by James Buddy Day, 40 Years of F**kin’ Up traces NOFX’s evolution from teenage punks to one of the most influential and polarising bands in modern punk history.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2026
For example, in Granada, there is a community of ravers, punks, that have been there since the time of Margaret Thatcher.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2025
All these young punks and musical savants appearing under the repressive atmosphere of the academy may require some suspension of disbelief (as does Lilisa’s gravity-defying hair).
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punks
Noun
-
The simple controls and hints gallery are optimized for novices, while the advanced playing modes are better suited for seasoned players.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Still, this brand will never offer a barrel-proof release because the whole point of it is to be a lower proof whiskey that is accessible to novices and can still be used in cocktails.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
He’s beaten by thugs with a crowbar for an unfortunate outburst, exploited by neighbors in the council estate and arrested, all because people don’t understand Tourette syndrome.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Mayor vows to catch 'thugs who did this' Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards promised that law enforcement will catch the people responsible for the violence at the mall.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Northbrook, prizes and awards will be presented for all nine races, from beginners to top-level professionals, Schuler said.—
Phil Rockrohr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The studio has been hosting workshops since December for both beginners and advanced students to learn more about the technique.—
Muriel Vega,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Many of the toughest criminals taken into ICE custody were already in prison, but many others who were arrested have no criminal history.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In the furthest part of space lies Dante 01, a detention facility that houses criminals who have committed the most shocking crimes imaginable.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Baptism of Christ is generally believed to have been completed by El Greco’s son and other apprentices in his workshop in the decade after the artist died.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Art historians believe it was unfinished at the time El Greco died in 1614 and that it was completed by the painter’s son, Jorge Manuel, with help from other apprentices in El Greco’s workshop.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Theater owners cut prices and dispensed prizes to ticket buyers as the gangsters effectively cross-pollinated with the studio dance numbers.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Violent gangsters ran fentanyl and human smuggling over the Rio Grande.—
Ioan Grillo,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Best and Last returns franchise regulars Steve-O, Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, and Dave England, along with (younger and less broken) newcomers Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, and Rachel Wolfson.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
-
With a population of almost 23,000—and growing rapidly—Zephyrhills draws newcomers with affordable housing and a cost of living that is 14 percent lower than the national average.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The movie is understood to follow a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits who use the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and terrorize the occupants of a small town.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
-
On Derby Day in 1923, four masked bandits raided the hotel poker room, escaping into the crowds with what would now amount to a small fortune.—
Hillary Richard,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punks. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
