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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Sokoloff continued the offensive, explaining that the controller is legally mandated to annually audit affordable housing programs but has failed to do so.—
Rafael Perez,
Daily News,
28 May 2026
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Palace were fortunate that Rayo failed to convert two good first-half chances.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Caruso had one of the greatest games of his career, but everyone else flopped.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
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As in most insurance company failures, PHL flopped for several reasons.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The Arsia Mons volcano is of particular interest to NASA because the agency spotted holes in the shield where the volcanic ceiling had collapsed, leaving skylights behind and revealing a vast tunnel network within.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
25 May 2026
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As the mine expanded, buildings fractured and some collapsed.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
25 May 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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Notably, the agency completed more than 85% of its internal affairs investigations within 180 days, a mark the department had struggled to reach in recent years.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
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But privately, there were times Halverson struggled.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
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By contrast, once benefits and broader financial assumptions are folded in, the baseline no longer reflects simply the cost of living.—
Aldrin Rafael Bonilla,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2026
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Heavy rain and flash flooding blocked the entrance, triggering a search that has folded in several Lao groups, as well as the Thai team involved in the 2018 rescue.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunked. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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