How to Use clunker in a Sentence

clunker

noun
  • That joke was a real clunker.
  • My first car was an old clunker that kept breaking down.
  • The director's recent films have all been clunkers.
  • But there were some clunkers in there too.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • In the bullpen, last year’s star might be this year’s clunker.
    — Doug Dennis, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2018
  • The world waits to see whether the fight is a classic or a clunker.
    — Don Riddell, CNN, 21 June 2017
  • That name, a clunker even then, simply won’t do for the group as a whole⁠ now.
    — Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 6 July 2020
  • There are some really snazzy caps here, with maybe a clunker or two.
    — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2019
  • That means plenty of clunkers, even when teams are decent.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
  • There’s so much art, with nary a clunker and each demanding a star turn.
    — Brian T. Allen, National Review, 24 Feb. 2022
  • That is, if clunkers like Monday don’t become the norm.
    — Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Haliburton now has two clunkers to his name in these playoffs.
    — Sam Settleman, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • Maybe this is a season that's destined to be a clunker for the Cavs.
    — Terry Pluto, cleveland.com, 14 Mar. 2018
  • The Hawks won’t have to wait long to try to erase the memory of this clunker.
    — Phil Thompson, chicagotribune.com, 22 Jan. 2022
  • The Tribe received two brilliant starts in the first three games, and one clunker.
    — Terry Pluto, cleveland.com, 9 Oct. 2017
  • The Aztecs did not earn better in a clunker against the Orange.
    — Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2021
  • Gone are the days where a stability shoe had to be a total clunker to get the job done.
    — Rozalynn S. Frazier, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2023
  • In an 82-game season, every team is going to put up a clunker.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
  • In the end, Jim Harbaugh’s first playoff game as their coach was a clunker.
    — Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Towns failed to make a basket in the first half for the first time in more than three years, an 0-for-7 clunker.
    — oregonlive, 12 Apr. 2022
  • Almost like a po' boy, the large sandwich was a clunker, but the texture of the bread was soft and pillowy.
    — Andi Berlin, The Arizona Republic, 25 Aug. 2021
  • But nearly every major positive even has been met with its share of clunkers.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Most of December was a clunker for the Lakers.
    — Dan Woike, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
  • In between his three clunkers, LaVine posted two 21-point games.
    — K.c. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 13 Mar. 2018
  • Get the clunker out of the way, see your flaws and roll into the SEC schedule.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Kris Dunn endured his first clunker in awhile, missing 11 of 12 shots.
    — K.c. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 23 Dec. 2017
  • About three months ago, the new-look Cavs opened the preseason with a clunker in Chicago.
    — Chris Fedor, cleveland, 19 Jan. 2022
  • Bobrovsky has had far more clunkers than usual and his overall stats on the season have suffered because of it.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Its slim, vertical design also stands out among a field of countertop clunkers.
    — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Philadelphia’s issue is that the clunkers come too often.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Some of 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.

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