clunker

noun

ˈkləŋ-kər How to pronounce clunker (audio)
Definition of clunkernext
1
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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2
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 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 Perhaps the 6-11 clunker was inevitable in some ways after five Super Bowl appearances in six seasons — and three straight — left the Chiefs playing 19 postseason games in that span. — Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clunker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunker
  1. crate
  2. disaster
  3. failure
  4. disappointment
  5. loser
  6. catastrophe
Noun
  • Between food, toys, treats, beds, crates and more, shopping for pets can get expensive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The crates of scented rose petals littering the studio help too.
    — Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of crate
Noun
  • After the storms, Pritzker issued a state disaster proclamation that made additional state resources available for response and recovery, his office said.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Exhibitors include first responder agencies and non-governmental organizations that showcase new technologies, offer recruitment opportunities, and demonstrate local preparedness and disaster response capabilities.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of disaster
Noun
  • The installation at the military’s oldest active test base would help shield critical defense operations from wider grid failures.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • After he was released from the hospital, 22-year-old Nicholas James Stedeford-Aaron was arrested and charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger and failure to move over for emergency vehicles with injury.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • Chastain voiced her disappointment with the decision at the time in a statement shared on social media.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Retiring from the national team seemed to be an option after that World Cup disappointment, but Ronaldo said he was urged to continue by the Portuguese soccer federation president – something which now looks incredibly ill-advised.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of disappointment
Noun
  • In many of life’s winner-loser outcomes, the fate of the losers is all but inevitable, granted the values, resources and determination of the winners.
    — James Coffin, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Gaskell noted that a relatively small number of active losers account for a substantial amount of sportsbooks’ revenue.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • The top prize there was awarded to The Lake, directed by Abby Ellis, a film exploring the environmental catastrophe posed by the rapidly shrinking Great Salt Lake in Utah.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Mahomes’ rapid recovery from last year’s ACL/LCL catastrophe is great news for Kansas City fans and the NFL’s TV/streaming partners, as he and the Chiefs are slated to pop up in as many as 12 national windows before the playoffs arrive.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of catastrophe

Browse Nearby Words

clunked
clunker
clunkers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clunker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunker. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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