clunker

noun

clunk·​er ˈkləŋ-kər How to pronounce clunker (audio)
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

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.
Recent Examples on the Web There was also a clunker in there when the Rams were embarrassed by the Arizona Cardinals. Jay Paris, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 But you’re not doomed to a lifetime of orthopedic clunkers. Kristin Canning, SELF, 9 Oct. 2024 Yamamoto’s first three starts back had gotten progressively less impressive, following up a pair of four-inning efforts earlier this month with a three-inning, four-run clunker against the Rockies in Los Angeles last week. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024 That’s probably for the best, as the movie’s dialogue largely consists of clunkers. Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clunker 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clunker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clunker was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near clunker

Cite this Entry

“Clunker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clunker. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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