CLUNKER Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

clunker

noun

ˈkləŋ-kər

Definition of clunker

as in crate

a dilapidated old automobile she drove a clunker because she couldn't afford anything better

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in disaster

something that has failed a real clunker, the movie was soon littering the shelves of video stores everywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 clunker The album is strikingly consistent, with no true clunker in the bunch, though some tunes are more memorable than others. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 That means plenty of clunkers, even when teams are decent. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026 The Mets didn’t think Scott was in danger of losing any confidence after that clunker. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026 Same goes for Sonny Gray (two quality starts, two 4-inning clunkers), Ranger Suarez and Brayan Bello (both two bad games followed by a gem). — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clunker

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunker

Noun

Dealers will be allowed to bring packing crates into the Grand Palais after the fair closes Friday, but no one will be permitted inside on Saturday, sources said.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Noyce, of Fairchild, went to a photography store and found a few serviceable lenses in a crate of antique movie cameras.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of crate

Noun

Spain’s second high-speed rail disaster this year, in which one train struck another from behind, killing 69 people, has raised fresh concerns about the safety of the country’s rail network ahead of a national election.

— Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
The new rail disaster can't help the prospects of his Socialist party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

Even if Theranos had a functioning testing machine, the economic model on which is was based would result in failure.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
Even among voters who want Republicans to retain control, 17% cited weak AI and data center oversight — second only to a failure to bring down prices.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of failure

Noun

One small disappointment was the lack of access to the loft in my deluxe studio, tucked so high under the shed roof that it was deemed unsafe to allow guests access by ladder.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Arab voters celebrated the exit polls while supporters of far-right parties aligned with Netanyahu expressed disappointment.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of disappointment

Noun

The Cubs’ reputation as lovable losers was well-earned after 37 years without a National League pennant and 74 years removed from their last World Series title.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Love should be a team effort, not a competition that produces winners and losers.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of loser

Noun

Since Benson and her co-authors met in Oviedo, weather catastrophes have multiplied, oceans have acidified and the amount of carbon in the atmosphere has soared.

— Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026
But this latest catastrophe could clip the wings of any comeback.

— Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Browse Nearby Words

clunked

clunker

clunkers

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Clunker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunker. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of clunker

noun

Example Sentences

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