junker

1 of 3

noun (1)

junk·​er ˈjəŋ-kər How to pronounce junker (audio)
Synonyms of junkernext
: something (such as an automobile) of such age and condition as to be ready for scrapping

Junker

2 of 3

noun (2)

Jun·​ker ˈyu̇ŋ-kər How to pronounce Junker (audio)
: a member of the Prussian landed aristocracy
Junkerdom
ˈyu̇ŋ-kər-dəm How to pronounce Junker (audio)
noun
Junkerism
ˈyu̇ŋ-kə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce Junker (audio)
noun

Junkerism

3 of 3

noun (3)

Jun·​ker·​ism -kəˌrizəm How to pronounce Junkerism (audio)
plural -s
: the Junker system of government : Junker principles or policies
Junkerism has greatly declined in influence—New York Times

Synonyms of junker

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Noun (1)

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Examples of junker in a Sentence

Noun (1) I can't believe he's still driving that old junker. they finally traded in their old junker for a nice new car
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
An episode might follow someone who had long suffered driving an unreliable, junker of a car. — New York Times, 11 July 2022 The cast from Bram Stoker’s novel are transposed to space junkers, who come across the derelict spaceship Demeter. — Vulture, 13 Aug. 2023
Noun
The original — which helped make the show’s title into a universal shorthand for junker rejuvenation — aired on MTV for six seasons from 2004-2007. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 May 2024 Scrap Car Comparison scraps thousands of cars every year, but this year has decided to put them to good use by naming those junkers after your ex. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for junker

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

junk entry 1 + -er entry 2

Noun (2)

German, from Old High German junchērro, literally, young lord

Noun (3)

Junker + -ism

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1932, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of junker was in 1849

Rhymes for junker

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Junker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/junker. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on junker

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about junker

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