spunk

Owing to her Western spunk, talent for deduction, ability to identify a tobacco scent Holmes cannot and the detective’s need for a sidekick, she’s made his assistant.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2025

Lorelai’s spunk is presented as a secret to her success: Having been a teen mom, she drips with “up by your bootstraps” energy.

From Slate ● Apr. 14, 2025

She did a good job of bringing Winehouse’s spunk, vulnerability and big-as-her-hair personality to the screen; a scene of her getting emotional in the studio while recording the song “Back to Black” was particularly moving.

From Seattle Times ● May 16, 2024

Indeed, Kansara plays Ria with spunk and a youthful vigor that makes it hard not to reminisce on one's own adolescent years.

From Salon ● Apr. 29, 2023

During the ride, the girls were somber, almost distant, but Abuelita Remedios was full of spunk.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

But I ain't got to the wonders none as yet,' reemonstrates the Colonel, who spunks up a bit peevish for him.

From Wolfville Nights by Alfred Henry Lewis

He looked hard at me wi' a pair o' een that glowed like twa spunks, and then he says, says he: "You've been born in these pairts, I understan'?"

From The Mystery of Cloomber by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

An' the haill apotheck lay in spails, As the grey mear warsled free; An' when auld Jock Smairt saw the fashion o' his cairt: "Wha's seekin' ony spunks?" says he.

From The Auld Doctor and other Poems and Songs in Scots by David Rorie

She spunks up and her eyes sparkles whenever she thinks about that there tobaccer trust.

From Danny's Own Story by Don Marquis

The Advocate, who is not without some spunks of a remainder decency, has wrung your life-safe out of Symon and the Duke.

From David Balfour, Second Part Being Memoirs Of His Adventures At Home And Abroad, The Second Part: In Which Are Set Forth His Misfortunes Anent The Appin Murder; His Troubles With Lord Advocate Grant; Captivity On The Bass Rock; Journey Into Holland And France; And Singular Relations With James More Drummond Or Macgregor, A Son Of The Notorious Rob Roy, And His Daughter Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson