flunk

verb

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\ ˈfləŋk

flunked; flunking; flunks

Definition of flunk

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to fail especially in an examination or course

transitive verb

1 : to give a failing grade to

2 : to get a failing grade or result in

flunk

noun

Definition of flunk (Entry 2 of 2)

: an act or instance of flunking

Other Words from flunk Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About flunk

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Examples of flunk in a Sentence

Verb If I flunk this class, I have to take it over again. If I flunk, I have to take this class over again. The teacher had to flunk two students.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Medina Spirit crossed the finish line first, only to flunk a postrace test for a prohibited corticosteroid. — New York Times, 27 Aug. 2021 The Michigan legislature had chosen this year, of all years, to enforce a strict new literacy law: Any third grader who could not read proficiently by May could flunk and be held back. — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 3 July 2021 And journalists would raise their game, not flunk big stories like Brexit and Mr. Trump’s rise. — Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 8 June 2021 Such interactions could lead to wrongful arrest, prosecution, and government liens for those who’ve done nothing more than flunk a flawed algorithmic test. — Albert Fox Cahn, Wired, 9 June 2021 Companies that scored below a certain threshold would flunk the test, leading either to remedial action or, potentially, a ban. — Annie Brown, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021 Worse, the five individuals who fit the requirements best are all people who, in any normal testing program, would flunk the first interview. — Tom Shippey, WSJ, 26 Feb. 2021 The vast majority of DREs flunk the paper test, according to data collected by Verified Voting. — Pat Beall, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2020 This year, about 10,000 people will take the California bar exam and, based on past results, about 6,000 of them will flunk. — Steve Rubenstein, SFChronicle.com, 4 Oct. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun However, all three flunk the smell test, and two of them fell by the wayside before the Legislature adjourned last week. — Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2019 Doesn’t Avis know some states (including Massachusetts) flunk vehicles with faulty wipers in safety inspections? — Sean P. Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2019 And some students in general courses may test poorly or don't do their homework and flunk tests, educators say. — Diane Rado, chicagotribune.com, 19 May 2017

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