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flunked

verb

past tense of flunk
as in failed
to be unsuccessful the movie flunks, both as entertainment and as a dramatization of a historical incident

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 flunked Incredibly, as much as people believe football gets players in the best shape of their life, Fine once flunked his conditioning test for lacrosse after playing football. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 The Orioles flunked their 3rd rounder a few years ago and gave that money to their 17th rounder, Carter Young. — Keith Law, New York Times, 17 July 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
  1. failed
  2. flopped
  3. collapsed
  4. missed
  5. struggled
  6. folded
Verb
  • The Cowboys’ roster revamp failed miserably in its debut against Tulsa.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The explosion was ultimately blamed on an O-ring that failed in one the shuttle’s solid rocket boosters, allowing a flame to pierce the external fuel tank.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of failed
Verb
  • Reigns flopped into the corner and waited for the right moment to strike with a spear.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • In this year’s mayoral primary, Raman raised less money than Bass and Pratt and flopped during their one debate against each other.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of flopped
Verb
  • The machinery that collapsed was a drill rig, which was boring holes for the pilings to support the weight of the supertall skyscraper that will go up on the site.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The trip puts him back on the European stage as relations with Washington reel from tariffs, threats and personal attacks since trade talks collapsed.
    — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of collapsed
Verb
  • And that his young catching counterpart, Drake Baldwin, missed a month or so?
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Under the policy, trafficking concerns must now go through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which controls the children’s custody, raising fears legitimate cases will be missed or delayed.
    — Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of missed
Verb
  • The 23-year-old struggled in the defeat to Argentina before adding his seventh of the tournament against France in the third-place play-off.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • His 81-year-old partner has struggled without Vela Gonzalez, her primary caretaker.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of struggled
Verb
  • Raj’s time with the circuit was cut short; the domestic teams ultimately folded as the league transformed into NFL Europe, but by then, the kids had caught the bug.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The museum could clip the tapestry to a rail, then feed it into the paravent inch by inch; when the whole thing was transferred, the huge zigzag could be folded up—with the tapestry secured between layers of padding—then turned on its side.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of folded

Browse Nearby Words

flunk
flunked
flunkies
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Cite this Entry

“Flunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunked. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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