bunkum

noun

ˈbəŋ-kəm How to pronounce bunkum (audio)
variants or buncombe
Definition of bunkumnext
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense a cinematic depiction of the Middle Ages that was derided as pure bunkum by historians

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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 bunkum The members themselves brought their own conspiracy theories and bunkum to the table. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2025 Rubbish, bunkum, romanticised bullcrap, fraud, nonsense, baloney. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025 Putting aside the junk peddling, how much of Madoff’s and Trump’s bunkum do they themselves (for Madoff, did) believe to be true? — Richard Behar, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 As generative AI is integrated into common search engines and voters converse with chatbots, people seeking basic information about elections have at times been met with misinformation, pure bunkum, or links to fringe websites. — Mekela Panditharatne, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024 Nevertheless, anti-vaccine bunkum has clearly metastasized to our furry companions. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 30 Aug. 2023 Brightly lit and filled to their Botox gills with aspirational bunkum, the shows require little by way of mental engagement. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bunkum
  1. nonsense
  2. rubbish
  3. garbage
  4. nuts
  5. silliness
  6. stupidity
  7. blah
Noun
  • Nonmaterialism was the sort of wishful nonsense preached by those who weren’t in any real danger of going hungry.
    — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Personally, this idea that the woke nonsense is just an outmoded relic of the past is ridiculous.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of nonsense
Noun
  • This comes at the expense of no movement in the wrist, but to be fair, having the lightsaber pointed in any other direction would look rubbish.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Only construction waste will be accepted at the landfill such as, brush and rubbish, concrete, brick, rock, wood, paper, plastics, cardboard and roofing shingles and tiles.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of rubbish
Noun
  • Most conflicts between humans and bears are traced back to human food, garbage, pet food, bird seed, or other things that attract bears.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Occupants of a residence on the 1400 block of 104th Avenue were angry at the auto body shop for parking lots of cars outside, loud noises and excessive garbage.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of garbage
Noun
  • Eating plenty of nutrient-rich foods like nuts, berries, fish and leafy greens can lower inflammation.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Again, that doesn’t really bother me because super-heavy energy recuperation drives me nuts, but there’s no practical reason the vehicle simply can’t retain that choice.
    — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of nuts
Noun
  • Yet despite this unease, they are also shown with occasional silliness and wit, as well as an unexpected strength to their paradoxically porcelain-like bodies.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The play’s Bohemian rhapsody is as full of light and life and silliness as its time in Sicilia is wrenching.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of silliness
Noun
  • The latest contestant in this recurring game of fiscal stupidity is Miami.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
  • That’s only made worse by the fact that it’s treated as some kind of grand betrayal rather than an impulsive act of youthful stupidity that will make for a good story one day.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
Definition of stupidity
Noun
  • There's been some good, but, generally, it's just been sort of blah.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • That’s where all the problems come from—the shrinkage, the color, blah, blah, blah.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of blah

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Cite this Entry

“Bunkum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bunkum. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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