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
Baresi flunked a trial in Linate, near the city’s airport, where the academy players used to train.
—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
27 May 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
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
27 May 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
Verb
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Morocco lost a pair of 1-0 games before tying Spain but failed to get out of the group stage.
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Despite his storied career, Messi failed to score a goal at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Verb
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Anders Carlson bombed in 2023, then Brayden Narveson flopped at the start of 2024.
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The superhero movie flopped on opening weekend, with domestic ticket sales totaling approximately $38 million.
Verb
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Witnesses said ambulances and rescue workers rushed to the scene after the roof collapsed.
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Families of the people in both apartment buildings – and others that collapsed in the area – have uploaded videos to social media in the days after the earthquake, pleading for help.
Verb
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Conwell made all four of his free throws, including two after missed three pointers.
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Royals star Salvador Perez missed Thursday’s game with soreness in his right elbow.
Verb
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Germany, whose 10 goals in the group stage were tied for the most of any team, struggled to find a way through Paraguay's 4-5-1 setup.
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Even as her body struggled, Gifford noted her sense of humor never disappeared.
Verb
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Seated near the senators, a woman in a crisp white uniform appears to listen in, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
-
Plus, the wide waistband can be folded to fit shorter frames.
Cite this Entry
“Flunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunked. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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