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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Narcan and other lifesaving measures failed to revive her and she was taken to the hospital, where doctors said that she had been deprived of oxygen for six minutes, her husband said in the video filmed at her hospital bedside.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
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The House failed to pass a measure that would propose amending the Constitution to require the federal government to have a balanced budget, a measure offered by conservatives to address the ever-increasing national debt.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Still, the series might have flopped were its actors not so likable.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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Gillan flopped in the first year of a three-year, $9 million extension.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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King collapsed on the field last May and eventually underwent heart surgery.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
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On hearing her name, Madigan collapsed into the arms of her husband, actor Ed Harris.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Murray made the game’s first basket, then missed his next 12 shots before fouling out.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
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Linesman Ben O’Quinn fell ill after the first period and missed the rest of the game.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The strike caused an intense fire at the hospital, with footage from local television showing rescue crews combing through the wreckage with flashlights late into the night as firefighters struggled to extinguish the blaze.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
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Both teams struggled in their previous games, though.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There is also the infamous image of Trump at the 2018 G7, during which he was photographed sitting with his arms folded as other world leaders, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, tried to engage him.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
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Is there anything better than getting your clothes back impeccably folded into beautiful rattan boxes?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunked. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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