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
Some academic economists question whether the cash for clunkers program is prompting households to redirect their spending to new cars and appliances, and away from meals and other consumption.
—
Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Before the back-to-back clunkers, many speculated the Vikings would bring Darnold back, either on the $41 million franchise tag or with a long-term extension.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
Then the slo-mo singers return, and not even the usually propulsive conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin can give this clunker some zip.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
The Bengals still like being in the Browning business, and one preseason clunker won’t change that.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clunker 
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Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Before the back-to-back clunkers, many speculated the Vikings would bring Darnold back, either on the $41 million franchise tag or with a long-term extension.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
Then the slo-mo singers return, and not even the usually propulsive conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin can give this clunker some zip.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
The Bengals still like being in the Browning business, and one preseason clunker won’t change that.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clunker
Dictionary Entries Near clunker
Cite this Entry
“Clunker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clunker. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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