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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Garnacho has had far more opportunities and failed to make an impact.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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The country is going through its worst economic and energy crisis in several decades, mainly the result of years of mismanagement, failed economic policies and corruption.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Verb
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That flopped, as have all subsequent attempts to protect nature permanently and on a large scale through the use of markets.—
John Reid,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
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Rick Pitino, Billy Donovan, Brad Stevens, Fred Hoiberg, John Calipari, Tim Floyd, Lon Kruger, Mike Montgomery, Leonard Hamilton all left college to try the NBA, and most flopped.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Although Detroit collapsed in the second round, the front office’s confidence in Bickerstaff, who signed a contract extension the day after the Pistons ousted the Orlando Magic in the first round, hasn’t wavered.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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Decker collapsed during a training exercise on Thursday afternoon in the 6600 block of North Kedzie Avenue in West Rogers Park.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
18 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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The promotion remains the sport’s undeniable leader, but has struggled to find a new generation of mainstream stars since Rousey and Conor McGregor in the 2010s.—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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Advertisement Two more moderate candidates, state senator Sharif Street and pediatric surgeon Ala Stanford, split votes and struggled to catch fire.—
Julia Terruso,
Time,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The outings for both Yesavage and Schlittler folded seamlessly into their season resumés.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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The drag came almost entirely from xAI, which was folded into SpaceX in the February merger.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunked. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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