as in failing
Related Words
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Dissimilar Words
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
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Recent Examples of flunking
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
For its misleading omissions, the Times story deserves a flunking grade.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 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
Verb
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
For its misleading omissions, the Times story deserves a flunking grade.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 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
Verb
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As this process is the main source of energy produced by the sun, this will mean the outward pressure that stops the sun from collapsing under its own gravity also ceases.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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And what's the difference between weakening and collapsing?—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This was inevitable after McCollum inadvertently kicked Jalen Brunson in the groin, then accused the Knicks star of flopping in Game 1; and then got into a heated spat with Jose Alvarado before sinking the game-winning jumper in Game 2.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Meyers asked if Winkler had any sense during previews that the show was flopping.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Red Sox finished third in the AL East the next season, missing the playoffs for the first time in five years.—
Jimmy Golen,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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While the Giants addressed wide receiver, a big missing piece remains in boosting the defensive tackle spot.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the city morphs into a luxury tourist destination, struggling small businesses are pushing to retain the character that drew many tourists in the first place.—
Laura Millan,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
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If your friend is lonely or struggling to establish her identity without her sister living in the house, time with friends and time intentionally getting to know herself will be more productive.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunking. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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