as in to fail
to be unsuccessful
the movie flunks, both as entertainment and as a dramatization of a historical incident
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flunk
For its misleading omissions, the Times story deserves a flunking grade.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
Conservatives, with few exceptions, united behind her, arguing the controversy was an example of a left-wing instructor flunking a student over their Christian beliefs.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 14 Dec. 2025
The coursework was intense, and the two struggled, even flunking some classes.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025
That brings us to the three candidates who didn’t necessarily flunk, some of whom even flirted with adulthood.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flunk
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
Conservatives, with few exceptions, united behind her, arguing the controversy was an example of a left-wing instructor flunking a student over their Christian beliefs.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 14 Dec. 2025
The coursework was intense, and the two struggled, even flunking some classes.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025
That brings us to the three candidates who didn’t necessarily flunk, some of whom even flirted with adulthood.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flunk
Verb
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That too is likely to fail as lawmakers hold a rare weekend session.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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After failing to score in three consecutive league games, Farke must be tempted to tweak the system.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rescue workers said the direct hit in Arad caused widespread damage across at least 10 apartment buildings, three of them badly damaged and in danger of collapsing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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Officials said parts of the original bypass structure — built to manage Barton Creek flow — had eroded for decades, creating the potential for sections to collapse into the pool.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Girlfriend scales the diaristic, bric-a-brac charm of Janky Star into a high-drama pop monument to trying, flopping, and trying even harder next time.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
20 Mar. 2026
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All those efforts flopped in Congress.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But to look solely at Minnelli’s acting credits may be to miss the point.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
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According to reports, scammers claim the recipient missed jury duty and must pay a fine immediately to avoid arrest.—
CBS News Atlanta Staff,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunk. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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