as in failed
to be unsuccessful
the movie flunks, both as entertainment and as a dramatization of a historical incident
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flunked
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
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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One attempt to stop single-serve liquor bans failed in the Senate on Tuesday, but it could be revived in another bill.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
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Having failed to please Greene with her abstractions, Lovelace O’Neal applied the powder directly to her white canvases, covering it in black pigment that became a background to pastel squiggles.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Steve flopped his head down on the table.—
Geoffrey Cain,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
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Part one flopped at the box office in 2016.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Verb
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At the same time, however, the study documented dimming events including in Ukraine and Gaza as wars unfolded, in Venezuela as the economy collapsed, and in parts of Europe when governments enacted energy conservation mandates following the Russia-Ukraine war.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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Some officers were killed in the exchange of fire, while others died after part of the building collapsed, according to local police.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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About the only one who failed to seize on the moment was defending champion Scottie Scheffler, who missed six putts inside 10 feet, four of them for birdie.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
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The 28-year-old missed the entire 2025 campaign for the birth of her first child and maternity leave and was activated ahead of Saturday’s match.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
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In April, Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo proved to be an effective outlet as Chelsea struggled to cope with their pace.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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During her weekslong trial, friends of Richinses described how the couple had moments of material strife and struggled with infidelity.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Maybe a whole roast chicken appeared, or its meat was folded into a gooey casserole with a few peas and carrot chunks.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
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The umbrellas were folded, and the van sped off to drive the four blocks to the Met.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunked. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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