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
Charlotte Hornets The Mark Williams trade was a spectacular piece of opportunism that sadly went by the wayside when the Lakers flunked his physical, but give the Hornets points for nearly pulling that off.
—
John Hollinger, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for flunk
John Hollinger, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for flunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flunk
Verb
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Crucially, many systems still fail to consider complexities like second marriages, age diversity, regional variation or cross-cultural compatibility.—
Anuradha Gupta,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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And residents who fail to remove water from outdoor receptacles could face fines and the possibility of having their electricity turned off.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Multiple Outer Banks homes have collapsed into the ocean in recent years, including at least three around this time last year from Hurricane Ernesto’s waves.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
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Humanitarian workers themselves are collapsing from hunger.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Field gave a presentation to the startup’s board, self-assuredly outlining his research about the features users loved and which ones flopped.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
1 Aug. 2025
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Iron Sushi, 9030 SW 72nd Pl., South Miami-Dade Routine inspection, 28 total violations, one High Priority violation Iron Sushi stands as a restaurant ironman of failure, flopping on inspections Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.—
David J. Neal
August 1,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The younger Chávez has battled drug addiction for much of his boxing career, failing drug tests, serving suspensions and egregiously missing weight while being widely criticized for his intermittent dedication to the sport.—
Fabiola Sanchez,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
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Don't miss these Trader Joe's has restocked this beloved item at its Wisconsin stores.—
Steven Martinez,
jsonline.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunk. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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