clunk

\ ˈkləŋk

How to pronounce clunk (audio)

\

clunked; clunking; clunks

Definition of clunk

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to make a clunk

2 : to hit something with a clunk

transitive verb

: to strike or hit with a clunk

clunk

Definition of clunk (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a blow or the sound of a blow : thump

2 : a dull or stupid person

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Examples of clunk in a Sentence

Noun The book hit the floor with a loud clunk. don't be such a clunk and just get on with it

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Other regular comments include the disconcertingly loud clunking noises that happen while plugged in at one of Tesla's fast-charging Superchargers. — Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, "Our 2019 Tesla Model 3 Has Changed a Lot in Just Six Months," 16 Apr. 2020 The rod's bushings are a likely source of a clunking noise. — Stef Schrader, Popular Mechanics, "How To Fix Those Annoying Suspension Clunks and Rattles," 25 Apr. 2020 In an instantly symbolic moment on Monday, Troy Price, the state Democratic chairman, was speaking at a news conference in Des Moines when the party’s logo fell off his lectern and clunked to the floor. — Jack Healy, New York Times, "Can Iowa’s Democrats Rebound From the Caucus Fiasco?," 11 Feb. 2020 Finally, the sound of locks clunking open, followed by a face in the doorway. — Chris Ballard, SI.com, "Jeff Hatch Was Dealing Fentanyl. And Helping Others Recover. Then a Visit from the VP Blew It All Up," 2 Oct. 2019 In fact, Hamill says that one of the biggest Star Wars original trilogy secrets is that more than half the dialogue was recorded in post-production due to all the intrusive noises from smoke and wind machines, prop effects, and even clunking robots. — James Hibberd, EW.com, "'I am your father': The Empire Strikes Back writer looks back on iconic twist," 9 Dec. 2019 Gone are the days of clunking heads together while sharing one pair of earbuds—not to mention having to scrape someone else’s earwax out of your tiny speaker grates. — Wired, "How to Share Your iPhone Audio With a Friend," 24 Sep. 2019 The first programmable computer—if it were built—would have been a gigantic, mechanical thing clunking along with gears and levers and punch cards. — Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, "In Celebration of Ada Lovelace, the First Computer Programmer," 14 Oct. 2015 Junis’ 10th pitch clunked Matt Chapman somewhere on the back of his head, sending his helmet flying and his teammates into a panic. — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "Matt Chapman avoids concussion protocol, but his presence was sorely missed in Athletics’ loss to Royals," 28 Aug. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The candies topple free with the clunk of wooden blocks. — Laurence Scott, Wired, "ASMR and the Soothing Power of Experts," 21 Jan. 2020 Cornering is sharp, but there will be clunks and bumps. — Mark Maynard, San Diego Union-Tribune, "2019 VW Arteon: a cure for the common sedan," 6 Sep. 2019 Dior’s clog offering has snob appeal and the shoes are deceptively streamlined, despite their clunk. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, "A Search for the Perfect Fall Clog, the Bookworm’s Fashion Shoe," 17 Oct. 2018 Also, my rides ended with an abrupt ka-clunk just before the trains proceeded to the station for unloading. — Arthur Levine, USA TODAY, "Disneyland's new Pixar Pier: Is it Incredible?," 10 July 2018 The door swung open with a clunk and a screech, and cold clean air rushed into his lungs like the first breath after a storm. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "A transgender girl rises up against alien invaders in Rich Larson’s novel Annex," 8 July 2018 Throughout its two seasons, HBO’s Westworld has trotted out no shortage of bad guys, from robot gunslingers to mad inventors to dialog that sputters and clunks. — Brian Barrett, WIRED, "Westworld’s Real Villain Has Always Been Its Privacy Policy," 24 June 2018 And after a short scuffle and clunks of heavy hooves on the ground, an opposing player smacks the ball with his mallet in between two posts. — Brittany Britto, baltimoresun.com, "Saddle up: Maryland Polo Club celebrates 'sport of kings' with weekly matches, lively BritFest," 5 June 2018 The machine whirred and beeped for a moment, then the door slid open with a clunk, and a robotic arm dispensed the appropriate currency. — Spud Hilton, San Francisco Chronicle, "High-tech Vegas: Is your hotel room smarter than you?," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clunk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

20 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Clunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clunk. Accessed 27 May. 2020.

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