clunker
noun
clunk·er
| \ ˈkləŋ-kər
\
\
Definition of clunker
1
: an old or badly working piece of machinery
especially
: a dilapidated automobile
2
: someone or something notably unsuccessful
told a joke that was a real clunker
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Examples of clunker in a Sentence
My first car was an old clunker that kept breaking down.
That joke was a real clunker.
The director's recent films have all been clunkers.
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Recent Examples on the Web
The surest way to erase any lingering doubts about Kelly after four middling NFL seasons and a clunker in his return to the college game is to pile up the victories that usually come only on Saturday. — Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, "Chip Kelly is measuring UCLA’s success on his terms as expectations grow," 25 Aug. 2019 But for every such gauzy memory, there are more clunkers, or worse yet, permanent scars. — Thomas Beaumont, Fortune, "Iowa State Fair: Where U.S. Politics and Fried Oreos Intersect," 8 Aug. 2019 With September, Sean Manaea and Jesus Luzardo looming, Bailey — marked with a couple clunkers — could perhaps have been one of the starters at risk of losing a rotational spot. — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "Matt Olson, Mark Canha deliver with bats and gloves in Oakland Athletics’ win over New York Yankees," 20 Aug. 2019 Brett Anderson has drawn up five wins over his past seven starts with a 3.86 ERA (a seven-run, three-inning clunker inflated that average). — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "A’s postseason hopes rest on patchwork pitching staff," 11 July 2019 Daniel Mengden is trying to find consistency to the tune of a 4.24 ERA over three starts since his most recent call-up on June 26 and Chris Bassitt — despite a clunker to end the unofficial half — strung together a handful of quality starts. — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "A’s postseason hopes rest on patchwork pitching staff," 11 July 2019 Scouts who came to see Bumgarner on Thursday saw a clunker. — John Shea, SFChronicle.com, "Giants lose 9-8 after Bumgarner knocked out by Muncy’s Dodgers," 20 June 2019 Most seasons of Black Mirror have, if not an outright clunker, at least one episode that falls short. — Peter Rubin, WIRED, "Black Mirror Isn't Surprising Anymore. We're Screwed," 5 June 2019 This likable and redoubtable Bruins team, players who poured their hearts into the season and sacrificed their bodies during it, deserved better than to go out with a clunker. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "To many, the Bruins’ loss is a rebalancing of the sports universe," 15 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clunker.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for clunker
clunker
noun
English Language Learners Definition of clunker
chiefly US, informal
: an old car or machine that does not work well
: something that is a complete failure
See the full definition for clunker in the English Language Learners Dictionary