flunk

\ ˈfləŋk

How to pronounce flunk (audio)

\

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

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 The team then flunked Williams on Wednesday, a day after this report came out. — BostonGlobe.com, "Gross. What happened to the Patriots-Ravens rivalry?," 2 Nov. 2019 Colby Jackson, 42, had been through the academy before and flunked. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Inside the Fire Academy: Stakes high at 16-week crucible for recruits, city," 5 Sep. 2019 Ruiz was offered a chance to challenge Joshua only because Joshua’s original opponent flunked multiple drug tests. — Dylan Hernandez, latimes.com, "It's a big victory for Andy Ruiz Jr. and Imperial Valley," 22 June 2019 If Dantonio’s team hadn’t flunked basic arithmetic, the officials wouldn’t have had an opportunity to miss an infraction. — oregonlive, "It’s time for the Oregon Ducks’ offensive line to play to its reputation: Issues & Answers," 16 Sep. 2019 Dolan, an owner from the very old school of player subservience, has once again flunked modern N.B.A. civics. — Harvey Araton, New York Times, "These Knicks Do Not Belong in Today’s N.B.A.," 1 July 2019 All this is still tenuous, but the idea is ready to pass or flunk based on what happens next in the FRB story. — Joshua Sokol, WIRED, "Astronomers Think They Can Explain Mysterious Cosmic Bursts," 10 Mar. 2019 All this is still tenuous, but the idea is ready to pass or flunk based on what happens next in the FRB story. — Joshua Sokol, WIRED, "Astronomers Think They Can Explain Mysterious Cosmic Bursts," 10 Mar. 2019 All this is still tenuous, but the idea is ready to pass or flunk based on what happens next in the FRB story. — Quanta Magazine, "With a Second Repeating Radio Burst, Astronomers Close In on an Explanation," 28 Feb. 2019 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, "Walters: 3 bills to make California government larger, more intrusive," 19 Sep. 2019 Doesn’t Avis know some states (including Massachusetts) flunk vehicles with faulty wipers in safety inspections? — Sean P. Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "A broken windshield wiper on a rental car and the company’s less-than-ideal response — initially," 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, "Tribune analysis: College prep courses not preparing kids for college," 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.

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Statistics for flunk

Last Updated

16 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for flunk

The first known use of flunk was in 1823

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