Clunker — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkləŋ-kər/ clunk·er

Meaning & Definition of Clunker

Clunker (noun)

  1. an old or badly working piece of machinery; especially, a dilapidated automobile
  2. someone or something notably unsuccessful

Clunker (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a dilapidated old automobile

    "she drove a clunker because she couldn't afford anything better"

    similar: beater, crate, jalopy, junker
    related: flivver, hulk, wreck, lemon

  2. something that has failed

    "a real clunker, the movie was soon littering the shelves of video stores everywhere"

    similar: bomb, bummer, bust, catastrophe, clinker, debacle, disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, frost, lemon, loser, miss, shipwreck, turkey, washout
    related: also-ran, disappointment, dog, has-been, near miss, botch, hash, mess, muddle, shambles, nonevent, nonstarter
    opposite: blockbuster, hit, smash, success, winner
    near: corker, crackerjack, dandy, jim-dandy, phenomenon

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clunker

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clunker:

beater, crate, jalopy, junker, bomb, bummer, bust, catastrophe, clinker, debacle, disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, frost, lemon, loser, miss, shipwreck, turkey, washout

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Clunker

Words with the opposite meaning of Clunker:

blockbuster, hit, smash, success, winner

Related Words for Clunker

flivver, hulk, wreck, also-ran, disappointment, dog, has-been, near miss, botch, hash, mess, muddle, shambles, nonevent, nonstarter

Near Antonyms of Clunker

corker, crackerjack, dandy, jim-dandy, phenomenon

Origin & Etymology of Clunker

First known use: 1930

Frequently Asked Questions about Clunker

What does "Clunker" mean?

"Clunker" means an old or badly working piece of machinery; especially, a dilapidated automobile. As a noun, it is defined as: an old or badly working piece of machinery; especially, a dilapidated automobile. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clunker"?

Other words for "Clunker" include beater, crate, jalopy, junker, bomb, bummer, bust and catastrophe. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Clunker" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Clunker"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clunker". Common alternatives include beater, crate, jalopy, junker, bomb, bummer, bust, catastrophe, clinker and debacle.

What is the opposite of "Clunker"?

Antonyms of "Clunker" include blockbuster, hit, smash, success and winner. Near antonyms include corker, crackerjack, dandy and jim-dandy.

How do you use "Clunker" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clunker" in a sentence: "she drove a clunker because she couldn't afford anything better"; "a real clunker, the movie was soon littering the shelves of video stores everywhere".

Is "Clunker" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Clunker" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Clunker"?

"Clunker" is pronounced /ˈkləŋ-kər/ and divided into syllables as clunk·er.

What is the origin of the word "Clunker"?

First known use: 1930.