1
2
as in disasters
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 clunkers
Its slim, vertical design also stands out among a field of countertop clunkers.
—
Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Not to say there aren’t some clunkers, most notably a jokey take-me-out-to-the-ballgame baseball number that pads the second act, but the Flaherty-Ahrens score was and is Ragtime‘s signature achievement.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
There can be no repeat of their clunkers against the Commanders and the Giants the past two weeks.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
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, 13 Sep. 2025
Burrow hopes that feeling the rush and gaining real reps working the pocket will help lessen the impact of opening-week clunkers that contributed to the team’s slow starts.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Not to say there aren’t some clunkers, most notably a jokey take-me-out-to-the-ballgame baseball number that pads the second act, but the Flaherty-Ahrens score was and is Ragtime‘s signature achievement.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
There can be no repeat of their clunkers against the Commanders and the Giants the past two weeks.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
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, 13 Sep. 2025
Burrow hopes that feeling the rush and gaining real reps working the pocket will help lessen the impact of opening-week clunkers that contributed to the team’s slow starts.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunkers
Noun
-
Smaller crates and bins can be housed below the bench to one side, while smaller handheld tools can rest ready and waiting on the countertop.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Most pet owners can relate to the consistency and discipline required to encourage more-stubborn dogs, such as dachshunds, to make a habit of sleeping in their crates.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The findings offer a new perspective on one of history’s most famous military disasters.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Its experts worked hard to prepare for a variety of disasters, such as a freak weather event, a terrorist attack, or an airplane accidentally crashing into a reactor.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For decades, conservation organizations have been working to restore oyster populations in the bay, accruing data along the way to learn from successes and failures.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
-
But like all investments, there are risks, and Ng has had some spooky failures.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There’s often a focus on resilience, or the the ability to bounce back from disappointments and challenges, especially during times of transition or change.—
Ana Homayoun,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The 1-6 Miami Dolphins may be one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL this season.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Russians had already been converting Soviet-era bombs into glide munitions with a range of some 80 kilometers (50 miles), allowing aircraft to fire them while staying well clear of Ukrainian air defenses.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
His cookbook has recipes for flavor bombs like Ginger Ponzu Sauce, Magic Sauce and Sweet Garlic Teriyaki Sauce (click here to jump to the recipes below).—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The losers in this round are Toby and our not-so-perfect Tom, who struggles the entire episode, which is strange for a man who is that good-looking.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
-
And this time, unlike last year with the Steelers, his team walked away losers.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the book, Malahy detailed the numerous catastrophes that surrounded the months spent filming the movie, a loose adaptation of Joseph Conrad's 1899 novella, Heart of Darkness, in the Philippines.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
For me, the experience is moving—like a glimmer of wild hope amid a conservation landscape dominated by the looming catastrophes to come of climate change.—
Eric J. Wallace,
Outside,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clunkers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunkers. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share