1
as in to stumble
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually
unprepared choristers who floundered helplessly through the musical number
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily
the car floundered through the heavy wet snow, constantly getting stuck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flounder
That decline has done little to boost a Labour government that has floundered since winning election in July 2024.
—
ABC News, 11 June 2026
Henry, the principal owner, has made Kennedy the team spokesman and Kennedy said he’s not focused on his own job security as the organization flounders into obscurity.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 June 2026
While the Blues entered the 2025/26 campaign with high hopes after lifting the Club World Cup, the team failed to live up to expectations, floundering in the Premier League and going through three different managers in the space of only a few months.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Before Tan took over as CEO in March 2025 , the foundry business was floundering, trying to do many things at once.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flounder
ABC News, 11 June 2026
Henry, the principal owner, has made Kennedy the team spokesman and Kennedy said he’s not focused on his own job security as the organization flounders into obscurity.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 June 2026
While the Blues entered the 2025/26 campaign with high hopes after lifting the Club World Cup, the team failed to live up to expectations, floundering in the Premier League and going through three different managers in the space of only a few months.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Before Tan took over as CEO in March 2025 , the foundry business was floundering, trying to do many things at once.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flounder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flounder
Verb
-
Avila was crushed inside the Volkswagen, while Guevara allegedly stumbled to the Honda Accord, got inside, and drove off, according to court records.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
-
When asked who played at Arrowhead Stadium, Comenencia stumbled for the name.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Manager John Schneider is now forced to shuffle players like Andrés Gimenez and Ernie Clement at shortstop, often platooning Gimenez, and inserting lesser hitters at second base.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
After about 10 minutes of sitting frozen in place, the seven-year-old shuffled out of the room with his mother, sister and grandmother.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
In addition, composters are struggling with the amount of plastic and other debris that people and businesses put in the food waste bins.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
-
Cristiano Ronaldo looks to be in top form after struggling in his World Cup opener, scoring two goals already today.—
Monica Alba,
NBC news,
24 June 2026
Verb
-
Now city officials are being asked to stomp the gas pedal on an ordinance that could speed the demise of some of downtown’s stateliest buildings — ones that help define its character, such as the old train station on Church Street, the Kress building and the Angebilt Hotel.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
-
On Monday night, a 39-year-old man wearing a Spurs jersey was stomped and punched after Game 3 while walking down West 47th Street, about 15 blocks from the arena.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Primarily, there are beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) courtesy of lipo hydroxy acid (LHA), a deep-penetrating chemical exfoliant that gently sloughs off old, dead cells to reveal brighter, fresher skin.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
11 June 2026
-
Their body care kit gets to the root of smooth skin with a trio of products including a pre-sluff bar that rids it of lotions and oils, a washable textured mitt that sloughs off dead cells and a eucalyptus-scented body lotion that loads it with hydration while making your bathroom smell like a spa.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flounder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flounder. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
