1
as in stumbled
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually
unprepared choristers who floundered helplessly through the musical number
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shuffled
to move heavily or clumsily
the car floundered through the heavy wet snow, constantly getting stuck
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of floundered
As staffers await new leadership, projects have floundered, many in a holding pattern awaiting funding.
—
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
The Panthers have largely floundered since moving from the Big East to the ACC in 2013.
—CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Coming from the Rockies, an organization that has floundered in recent years and is coming off a historically poor 43-119 season, Ward said joining the Red Sox and seeing what the organization is about has been a huge and welcome change.
—Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
Strange, whose strength is his athleticism, stabilized a right guard position that was searching for anyone who could make a contribution after Daniels only lasted three plays due to a pectoral injury and Smith floundered during his brief opportunity.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
In the latter years of the Roman Republic, landowners amassed unprecedented riches while plebeians floundered, spawning resentment that infected many corners of society.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
That idea is central to why many real world sectors are outperforming this year, even as the overall market and especially tech stocks have floundered.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
To varying degrees, all three have floundered.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Although the Timberwolves floundered in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Dosunmu provided a rare bright spot with 11 points and two steals off the bench.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
The Panthers have largely floundered since moving from the Big East to the ACC in 2013.
—CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Coming from the Rockies, an organization that has floundered in recent years and is coming off a historically poor 43-119 season, Ward said joining the Red Sox and seeing what the organization is about has been a huge and welcome change.
—Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
Strange, whose strength is his athleticism, stabilized a right guard position that was searching for anyone who could make a contribution after Daniels only lasted three plays due to a pectoral injury and Smith floundered during his brief opportunity.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
In the latter years of the Roman Republic, landowners amassed unprecedented riches while plebeians floundered, spawning resentment that infected many corners of society.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
That idea is central to why many real world sectors are outperforming this year, even as the overall market and especially tech stocks have floundered.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
To varying degrees, all three have floundered.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Although the Timberwolves floundered in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Dosunmu provided a rare bright spot with 11 points and two steals off the bench.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floundered
Verb
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The nearest Portugal defender stumbled as the ball came to Pulisic just in front of the 6-yard box.—
Michael Cunningham,
AJC.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
James, the Army veteran from Phoenix, had stumbled across it one night last June, while his wife slept.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Royals shuffled their outfield this offseason.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The living room has been moved to the second floor in the plans and other rooms were shuffled around, though the project’s size and general design remain roughly the same.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Severino struggled with his control, walking five and throwing just 49 of his 91 pitches for strikes before he was lifted after 3 1/3 innings.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The national team, called the Leopards, struggled as the country’s domestic league operated without support from sponsors or government funding.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stomped around here like rabid Goths wearing bearskin vests.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Frustration boiled over on the Huskies’ sideline as Hurley stomped his foot and earned a technical foul from referee James Breeding with 12 and a half minutes left in the half.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Floundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floundered. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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