as in failed
to be unsuccessful
the movie flunks, both as entertainment and as a dramatization of a historical incident
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Recent Examples of flunked
Baresi flunked a trial in Linate, near the city’s airport, where the academy players used to train.
—
James Horncastle, New York Times, 27 May 2026
John has just flunked the bar for the second time, and his job at the DA’s office — which has a three-strike policy — is in peril.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
The company was born from the will of a man who grew up dirt-poor in Baltimore, flunked fifth grade, served in Vietnam and became a billionaire.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Ultragenyx lost more than $1 billion in market value after its bone drug flunked late-stage clinical trials.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
But, ultimately, the Rockies flunked, losing a 4-3 gut-puncher when the Mariners scored three runs in the eighth off relievers Juan Mejia and Victor Vodnik.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
James Horncastle, New York Times, 27 May 2026
John has just flunked the bar for the second time, and his job at the DA’s office — which has a three-strike policy — is in peril.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
The company was born from the will of a man who grew up dirt-poor in Baltimore, flunked fifth grade, served in Vietnam and became a billionaire.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Ultragenyx lost more than $1 billion in market value after its bone drug flunked late-stage clinical trials.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
But, ultimately, the Rockies flunked, losing a 4-3 gut-puncher when the Mariners scored three runs in the eighth off relievers Juan Mejia and Victor Vodnik.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flunked
Verb
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In corporate news, shares in Universal Music Group were seen down 6% following reports that Pershing Square had sold its stake in the group, after two failed takeover attempts.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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Lab tests showed that the plants without the active inceptin receptor failed to emit this volatile blend when exposed to either the synthetic In11 peptide or actual caterpillar oral secretions.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The willingness to protect meaning over volume is precisely what has made the brand more culturally relevant than numerous others that came up alongside it and flopped.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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His first attempt, a dystopian fantasy, had flopped.—
Nathan Heller,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Following the 2008 financial crisis, several of Spain’s major industries collapsed, the unemployment rate soared to 27 percent, and the banking system entered such a vicious cycle that not even the Spanish government could afford to rescue it (hence, the EU bailout).—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
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Revenue grew, but margins collapsed and management became chaotic.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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After a pair of curveballs missed up in the zone, Rathbun laced a fastball that practically dented the right field wall.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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Kornet played six minutes, missed all three of his shot attempts and finished with only two points, but the block was an epic moment.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Wembanyama, one of the marquee stars of this series, was his usual disruptive presence in the paint defensively but struggled to make a larger impact elsewhere.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
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Meta still counts on ads for about 98% of revenue, having repeatedly struggled to sell digital and physical products over the years.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Verb
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More than 40 teams have folded since 2021.—
Reagan Yip,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
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Nevertheless, Fort Lauderdale still saw an overall capacity reduction after Spirit folded.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunked. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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