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as in disaster
something that has failed
a real clunker, the movie was soon littering the shelves of video stores everywhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clunker
For players like Boutte and slot receiver DeMario Douglas, 2023 draftees who were around for both of New England’s 4-13 clunkers, this run has been especially rewarding.
—
Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
In an 82-game season, every team is going to put up a clunker.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
What no one saw coming was a breakthrough performance by East Carolina and the accompanying clunker of an outing from UNT.
—Brett Vito Jan 23, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Reiner had a Midas touch for years, but The Story of Us was the third of four clunkers in a row for him — and more proof that his once-formidable ability to tap into universal themes was starting to slip away.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clunker
Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
In an 82-game season, every team is going to put up a clunker.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
What no one saw coming was a breakthrough performance by East Carolina and the accompanying clunker of an outing from UNT.
—Brett Vito Jan 23, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Reiner had a Midas touch for years, but The Story of Us was the third of four clunkers in a row for him — and more proof that his once-formidable ability to tap into universal themes was starting to slip away.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clunker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunker
Noun
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There are some really great ones on the market these days, a huge advancement past the egg crate toppers our parents used.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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That’s because plastic caps, crates, snack bags and containers are becoming more difficult to procure.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Taken to an extreme, an ever-evolving idea of retirement could outlive drastic institutional change, perhaps enduring longer than the institutions of American democracy or beyond climate disaster.—
Trevor Jackson,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Steve DeJong will retire from the Homewood Fire Department after more than two decades to accept a position at MABAS Illinois, the statewide mutual aid and disaster response coordinator.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In 2023, the number dropped significantly, even as supervision failures within jails persisted, down to 63.—
Ryan Oehrli
April 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
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Prosecutors also cited Cortez Johnson's prior probation violations, failures to appear, and past convictions.—
Chelsea Jones,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Reaction to the verdict After the verdict, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stood next to New York City Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry and expressed her disappointment in the verdict.—
Doug Williams,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Some fans are crying their eyes violet over their disappointment, while others are begging critics to get a grip.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The radio listener is the big loser here.—
Mac Engel
April 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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People who need services are the biggest losers.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clunker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunker. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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