flunked

verb

past tense of flunk
as in failed
to be unsuccessful the movie flunks, both as entertainment and as a dramatization of a historical incident

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 flunked The Orioles flunked their 3rd rounder a few years ago and gave that money to their 17th rounder, Carter Young. — Keith Law, New York Times, 17 July 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
  1. failed
  2. flopped
  3. collapsed
  4. missed
  5. struggled
  6. folded
Verb
  • Critically, the owner of the footage failed to show any impact on the market for the footage and in fact had never licensed the footage for compensation.
    — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Congress legalized home brewing in 1978 Occasional efforts in recent years to change the law failed to gain traction.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of failed
Verb
  • Clarke’s first two films, with commercial distribution, flopped.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Designs against the three targets that flopped scored nearly as well as designs against the ones that produced binders in quantity.
    — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of flopped
Verb
  • American officials rebutted Carney’s account of why the talks collapsed.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026
  • His announcement came after trade talks collapsed between the two countries and each began calling for higher tariffs.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapsed
Verb
  • Right tackle Luke Goedeke tore his plantar fascia and suffered a severe foot contusion, and missed six games.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Bell, a fourth-round draft pick after his record-breaking senior year at UConn, missed the first two preseason games with a groin injury but starred in his debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the brand new Highmark Stadium on Thursday night.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of missed
Verb
  • While Big Tech companies have aggressively expanded their AI footprint, the iPhone maker has struggled to find its footing.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In his second year as a head coach, Tyler Marsh once again struggled to cement a clear playing identity.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of struggled
Verb
  • Tired girl makeup looks poised to stick around, folded into a broader movement toward grunge, indie sleaze and deliberately unpolished beauty.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The project, originally a standalone story, was folded into the new DCU and received an R-rating.
    — Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of folded

Browse Nearby Words

flunk
flunked
flunkies
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Cite this Entry

“Flunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunked. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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