CLUNKER Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

clunker

noun

ˈkləŋ-kər

Definition of clunker

as in crate

a dilapidated old automobile she drove a clunker because she couldn't afford anything better

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of clunker That means plenty of clunkers, even when teams are decent. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026 The Mets didn’t think Scott was in danger of losing any confidence after that clunker. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026 Same goes for Sonny Gray (two quality starts, two 4-inning clunkers), Ranger Suarez and Brayan Bello (both two bad games followed by a gem). — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026 Perhaps the 6-11 clunker was inevitable in some ways after five Super Bowl appearances in six seasons — and three straight — left the Chiefs playing 19 postseason games in that span. — Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clunker

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunker

Noun

The family member had retrieved Molano’s vehicle and found the five large crates of cinnamon rolls inside.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Also onboard is a new third mate named Angie (Annabelle Wallis), a last-minute substitute with a bouncy ponytail, and my least favorite plot device, a crate of human trafficking victims.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of crate

Noun

Displaced from their homes, hundreds of families resettled on the low-lying banks of the Trishuli river – only to face yet another horrific disaster on Wednesday.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Purchase and install emergency generators, integrate electrical systems, and conduct testing and preparedness activities so participating rural hospitals can maintain critical services during outages and disasters.

— Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

The failures resulted in a divorce during the offseason and this exhibition game at Hard Rock Stadium was the first time the couple happened to be at the same place at the same time since the split.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
For five months, these players have underperformed, much to the chagrin of their front offices and the fans, who repeatedly boo their failures.

— Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of failure

Noun

At the same time, the Panthers saw very little impact from their pass rush — a disappointment considering the beleaguered state of Houston’s offensive line — and Stroud didn’t struggle to find short completions.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
In the comments, fans congratulated Aly on her Broadway debut while others shared their disappointment over not being able to see the duo live.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of disappointment

Noun

Other than taxpayers, bodega owners stand to be some of the biggest losers if New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) realizes his dream of city-run grocery stores.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
Amid the stresses of the Arctic, scientists are rethinking the idea that all life is a cutthroat competition with winners and losers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of loser

Noun

Summary Coastal and high-risk hotels face soaring insurance premiums, up 45-100%, as natural catastrophe losses escalate.

— Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
That didn’t stop catastrophes like the 2018 fire in the Sierra foothills that destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 85.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Browse Nearby Words

clunked

clunker

clunkers

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Style

“Clunker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunker. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of clunker

noun

Example Sentences

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