FLUNKING Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

flunking 1 of 2

adjective

as in failing

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Dissimilar Words

flunking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of flunk

as in collapsing

to be unsuccessful the movie flunks, both as entertainment and as a dramatization of a historical incident

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 flunking

Verb

Hannah starts flunking tests, missing class, and becomes totally subsumed in Melanie’s world and her instructor’s investment in her. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 12 June 2026 Lost in the shuffle at times is the 35-year-old George — in large part this season because of a 25-game suspension for flunking a drug test — who has deferred to the other three Sixers when needed yet can still flash that All-Star form. — CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 Or the employee cafeteria in the chains’ corporate overlord’s headquarters flunking an inspection? — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026 By the end of the eighth grade, Ben—now out as gay—was flunking every class. — Longreads, 3 Feb. 2026 For its misleading omissions, the Times story deserves a flunking grade. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026 Conservatives, with few exceptions, united behind her, arguing the controversy was an example of a left-wing instructor flunking a student over their Christian beliefs. — Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 14 Dec. 2025 The coursework was intense, and the two struggled, even flunking some classes. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025 Like the Phillies, they were weakened by a key player — ex-Padre Jurickson Profar — being suspended 80 games for flunking a PED test. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flunking

Adjective

The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.

— Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Jan. 2026

Definition of failing

Verb

Summary Volkswagen's unique governance, long prioritizing workers and unions over shareholders, is now unsustainable amid collapsing profits, especially from China, and fierce competition from Chinese EVs.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
After winning historic Latino support in 2024, Trump now faces collapsing approval as mass deportations, economic stagnation and inflammatory messaging like the bus graphic threaten GOP fortunes in the 2026 midterms.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

The video shows the peacock, referred to by some in the neighborhood as Sugar, seemingly flopping around then collapsing.

— Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
The papers were flopping off the edge of his desk, trembling in the breeze from the window; her hand reached out to stop them.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of flopping

Verb

Wilson was back on the practice field Sunday, despite missing much of training camp with an injury, and will likely open the season as Seattle’s third-string running back.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
The death toll in last week’s devastating flooding in Nepal has risen to 903 people, officials said Monday, as the number of those listed as missing nearly doubled to 4,247.

— Rudy Chinchilla, NBC news, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of missing

Verb

The papers served to underline how central banks are struggling to keep up with challenges introduced by technology.

— Maria Eloisa Capurro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
The longer the current situation continues, the greater the strain on an economy already struggling with shortages, inflation and restrictions on trade.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of struggling

Browse Nearby Words

flunkies

flunking

flunks

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

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Synonyms of flunking

adjective

verb

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