flunk

verb

ˈfləŋk How to pronounce flunk (audio)
Definition of flunknext
as in to fail
to be unsuccessful the movie flunks, both as entertainment and as a dramatization of a historical incident

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 flunk Lost in the shuffle at times is the 35-year-old George — in large part this season because of a 25-game suspension for flunking a drug test — who has deferred to the other three Sixers when needed yet can still flash that All-Star form. — CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 Or the employee cafeteria in the chains’ corporate overlord’s headquarters flunking an inspection? — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026 John has just flunked the bar for the second time, and his job at the DA’s office — which has a three-strike policy — is in peril. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026 By the end of the eighth grade, Ben—now out as gay—was flunking every class. — Longreads, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flunk
  1. fail
  2. collapse
  3. flop
  4. miss
Verb
  • Like at Brentford’s Gtech Stadium, Spurs failed to win with the first contact from a deep corner, allowing the ball to be headed across their penalty area to an unmarked Yoane Wissa, who acrobatically converted past Antonin Kinsky.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • For example, an enterprise may deploy an AI customer-service agent that achieves high technical accuracy, yet still fail because customers must repeat information, escalation paths are unclear and employees frequently override recommendations.
    — Ashwin Gaidhani, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of fail
Verb
  • That pair, combined with the wider structure and personnel around them, ensure Leeds do not collapse when home sides like Brighton, predictably, lay it on thick.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers believe volcanic activity triggered an underwater landslide and caused a large chunk of Anak Krakatau’s southwest slope to collapse and displace a large volume of water.
    — Tatan Syuflana, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • In this year’s mayoral primary, Raman raised less money than Bass and Pratt and flopped during their one debate against each other.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Of course, by their very definition, cult films almost always flop upon release then slowly build a devoted following whose passion seems to grow in inverse proportion to any original rejection by mainstream audiences.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of flop
Verb
  • Clear information gives everyone a fair chance to ask questions and prevents resentment from filling in the missing details.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The 3-1 margin of victory could have been wider had City not at times missed that final bit of polish at Joie Stadium.
    — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of miss

Browse Nearby Words

flung (off or away)
flunk
flunked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunk. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of empirical

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All