flunk
1 of 2verb
ˈfləŋk 
flunked; flunking; flunks
intransitive verb
: to fail especially in an examination or course
transitive verb
1
: to give a failing grade to
2
: to get a failing grade or result in
flunker noun
flunk
2 of 2noun
: an act or instance of flunking
Synonyms
Verb
- bomb
- collapse
- crater
- fail
- flame out
- flop
- fold
- founder
- miss
- strike out
- tank
- wash out
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb If I flunk this class, I have to take it over again. If I flunk, I have to take this class over again. The teacher had to flunk two students.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dave Seminara, WSJ, 2 May 2022 He was accused of harassing M.O. over two years and threatening to flunk her for not taking part in the Pledge of Allegiance. Fox News, 30 Mar. 2022 The colt crossed the finish line first in the Derby on May 1, only to flunk a postrace test for a corticosteroid that is prohibited on raceday. New York Times, 4 Nov. 2021 Medina Spirit crossed the finish line first, only to flunk a postrace test for a prohibited corticosteroid. New York Times, 27 Aug. 2021 The Michigan legislature had chosen this year, of all years, to enforce a strict new literacy law: Any third grader who could not read proficiently by May could flunk and be held back. Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 3 July 2021 And journalists would raise their game, not flunk big stories like Brexit and Mr. Trump’s rise. Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 8 June 2021 Such interactions could lead to wrongful arrest, prosecution, and government liens for those who’ve done nothing more than flunk a flawed algorithmic test. Albert Fox Cahn, Wired, 9 June 2021 Companies that scored below a certain threshold would flunk the test, leading either to remedial action or, potentially, a ban. Annie Brown, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021 New York Times, 9 Dec. 2021 However, all three flunk the smell test, and two of them fell by the wayside before the Legislature adjourned last week. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2019 Doesn’t Avis know some states (including Massachusetts) flunk vehicles with faulty wipers in safety inspections? Sean P. Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2019 And some students in general courses may test poorly or don't do their homework and flunk tests, educators say. Diane Rado, chicagotribune.com, 19 May 2017 See More
Verb
But given that applications already vastly outnumber available jobs, why the imperative to consider candidates who flunk the exam? Dave Seminara, WSJ, 2 May 2022 He was accused of harassing M.O. over two years and threatening to flunk her for not taking part in the Pledge of Allegiance. Fox News, 30 Mar. 2022 The colt crossed the finish line first in the Derby on May 1, only to flunk a postrace test for a corticosteroid that is prohibited on raceday. New York Times, 4 Nov. 2021 Medina Spirit crossed the finish line first, only to flunk a postrace test for a prohibited corticosteroid. New York Times, 27 Aug. 2021 The Michigan legislature had chosen this year, of all years, to enforce a strict new literacy law: Any third grader who could not read proficiently by May could flunk and be held back. Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 3 July 2021 And journalists would raise their game, not flunk big stories like Brexit and Mr. Trump’s rise. Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 8 June 2021 Such interactions could lead to wrongful arrest, prosecution, and government liens for those who’ve done nothing more than flunk a flawed algorithmic test. Albert Fox Cahn, Wired, 9 June 2021 Companies that scored below a certain threshold would flunk the test, leading either to remedial action or, potentially, a ban. Annie Brown, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021 Noun
Facilities that ace their inspections are on track to get up to five stars, whereas those that flunk will struggle to get more than one or two stars. New York Times, 9 Dec. 2021 However, all three flunk the smell test, and two of them fell by the wayside before the Legislature adjourned last week. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2019 Doesn’t Avis know some states (including Massachusetts) flunk vehicles with faulty wipers in safety inspections? Sean P. Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2019 And some students in general courses may test poorly or don't do their homework and flunk tests, educators say. Diane Rado, chicagotribune.com, 19 May 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
perhaps blend of flinch and funk
First Known Use
Verb
1823, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Noun
1846, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing flunk
Kids Definition
flunk
verb
ˈfləŋk
flunked; flunking
: fail entry 1 sense 1
I flunked the test.
flunking 1 of 2
adjective
as in failing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- failing
- collapsing
- flopping
- slipping
- declining
- folding
- slumping
- failed
- washing-out
- inauspicious
- unsuccessful
- waning
- bankrupt
- futureless
- hopeless
- unpromising
- ruined
- wrecked
- no-good
- destroyed
- kerflooey
- kaput
- kaputt
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- successful
- going
- triumphant
- thriving
- coming
- flourishing
- promising
- prosperous
- growing
- palmy
- booming
- robust
- roaring
flunking
2 of 2verb
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful the movie flunks, both as entertainment and as a dramatization of a historical incident Synonyms & Similar Words
- failing
- collapsing
- flopping
- struggling
- missing
- folding
- bombing
- foundering
- cratering
- tanking
- striking out
- declining
- crashing
- falling short
- slipping
- falling flat
- flaming out
- floundering
- slumping
- washing out
- crumbling
- coming up empty
- dying on the vine
- skidding
- laying an egg
- falling on one's face
- misfiring
- waning
- sinking
- miscarrying
- coming a cropper
- coming to grief
- imploding
- going under
- self-destructing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- succeeding
- going
- delivering
- clicking
- working out
- cooking
- prospering
- thriving
- winning
- flourishing
- coming off
- triumphing
- prevailing
- going over
- panning out