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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
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Recent Examples of clunker
For players like Boutte and slot receiver DeMario Douglas, 2023 draftees who were around for both of New England’s 4-13 clunkers, this run has been especially rewarding.
—
Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
In an 82-game season, every team is going to put up a clunker.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
What no one saw coming was a breakthrough performance by East Carolina and the accompanying clunker of an outing from UNT.
—Brett Vito Jan 23, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Reiner had a Midas touch for years, but The Story of Us was the third of four clunkers in a row for him — and more proof that his once-formidable ability to tap into universal themes was starting to slip away.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clunker
Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
In an 82-game season, every team is going to put up a clunker.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
What no one saw coming was a breakthrough performance by East Carolina and the accompanying clunker of an outing from UNT.
—Brett Vito Jan 23, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Reiner had a Midas touch for years, but The Story of Us was the third of four clunkers in a row for him — and more proof that his once-formidable ability to tap into universal themes was starting to slip away.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clunker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunker
Noun
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Because of its delicate nature, a special crate has to be built for its transport.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
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The tale conjures up the closing scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark, when the wood crate containing the Ark of the Covenant is reposited among thousands of similar containers in a US government storage facility.—
Dana Thomas,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Rushing through your plans is a recipe for disaster, so avoid attempting to multitask.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
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The disaster led to an extensive decontamination effort to clean up nuclear material dispersed when conventional explosives in the hydrogen bombs detonated after hitting the ground.—
Kim Tong-Hyung,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The foundation said that besides Lee's 911 call, at least four other 911 calls were made by others that day, including from her husband and people who saw parts of the crime unfolding -- but that communication failures and other issues prevented help from being sent.—
DAVID FISCHER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
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The cause of the failure was still being investigated.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Late this month, what could be the biggest disappointment of 2026 cues up.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
12 Mar. 2026
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But amidst so much disappointment, a new era for the A’s has begun.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The millions of dollars seeking to influence the outcome of Illinois’s races have been met with criticism from both winners and losers of these contests, sending a warning signal to major PACs and industries that the 2026 elections may be harder to influence than in previous cycles.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
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If so, all humanity is the loser.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clunker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunker. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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