as in to fail
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 flunk
For the first time in his life, Kevin was flunking classes — bizarre for a math nerd and high school salutatorian.
—
Ellen Barry, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
What is a bit surprising is that the loss was the third consecutive time the Steelers have faced a big test — and completely flunked it.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Ruth used that run-in to inform Franks of why Gibbs flunked his psych eval, and to call him on the carpet for dodging the boy’s calls/visits.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 16 Dec. 2024
The Eagles will be a measuring stick During a 27-13 loss that wasn’t as close as the final score might indicate, the Steelers flunked that test.
—Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for flunk
Ellen Barry, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
What is a bit surprising is that the loss was the third consecutive time the Steelers have faced a big test — and completely flunked it.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Ruth used that run-in to inform Franks of why Gibbs flunked his psych eval, and to call him on the carpet for dodging the boy’s calls/visits.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 16 Dec. 2024
The Eagles will be a measuring stick During a 27-13 loss that wasn’t as close as the final score might indicate, the Steelers flunked that test.
—Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for flunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flunk
Verb
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Leaders would be wise to not make overly risky decisions that will fail during an inevitable pull back in btc price.—
Alexander S. Blume,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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La Perla has failed to relaunch in recent years and after German businessman Lars Windhorst’s private equity firm Tennor, then known as Sapinda, took over the company in 2018.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 June 2025
Verb
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The signs have been there for about six months — ever since a 180-foot section of the wooden pier collapsed into the ocean after being battered by towering waves during an atmospheric river storm that wreaked havoc along the Central Coast.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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That’s very much the case with Two Harbors, whose shares traded in the $60s before collapsing during COVID, only mildly rebounded, then deteriorated ever since to current prices around $10 per share.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Dorsey stopped it, but 20 feet from the boat the fish jumped again, flopped back with a loud splash, and zoomed upstream.—
Arthur Grahame,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2025
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Foster flopped in his first chance to be the starting point guard, and Cayden Boozer would be the backup plan.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Dom missed an awkward 619 and Octagon Jr. regained control.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Seattle have missed the MLS Cup play-offs just once since debuting in 2009, failing to make the postseason in 2022.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunk. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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