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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of floundered
But Klug wasn’t sure any individual Democrat could outrun the negative perception that pervades a state where the party has floundered of late.
—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
That decline has done little to boost a Labour government that has floundered since winning election in July 2024.
—
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Harris didn’t add a bat, and the offense floundered in August and September.
—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
The three-time batting champion has thrived in areas where the Padres have floundered.
—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
That mission has floundered in recent weeks with the departure of politicians who were key to the coalition agreement.
—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
The Broncos faltered in the snow, the Nuggets floundered on the hardwood, and now the Avalanche fail on ice.
—
Dp Opinion,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
But his solo career has floundered.
—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 May 2026
After Ana was caught driving without a license and deported in September, her daughter stopped eating and floundered in school.
—
Caitlin Dickerson,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
That decline has done little to boost a Labour government that has floundered since winning election in July 2024.
—
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Harris didn’t add a bat, and the offense floundered in August and September.
—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
The three-time batting champion has thrived in areas where the Padres have floundered.
—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
That mission has floundered in recent weeks with the departure of politicians who were key to the coalition agreement.
—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
The Broncos faltered in the snow, the Nuggets floundered on the hardwood, and now the Avalanche fail on ice.
—
Dp Opinion,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
But his solo career has floundered.
—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 May 2026
After Ana was caught driving without a license and deported in September, her daughter stopped eating and floundered in school.
—
Caitlin Dickerson,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floundered
Verb
-
The day after the earthquakes, some volunteers stumbled upon a 7-year-old boy named Mateo, shirtless and covered in debris, sitting by himself on a sidewalk in La Guaira.
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Scientists have stumbled on a rare dinosaur fossil from Antarctica, tucked away for decades in a drawer.
Verb
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Sarah was sent to a mental hospital, and the boys were shuffled among family members, ending up with their penniless grandmother in Kentucky.
-
As soon as the game wrapped up, those guests shuffled out, and hours later were replaced by a rowdier group ordering shots at the bar, dancing to 2000s hits in front of the DJ booth and smoking vape pens on the outdoor patio.
Verb
-
Germany, whose 10 goals in the group stage were tied for the most of any team, struggled to find a way through Paraguay's 4-5-1 setup.
-
Even as her body struggled, Gifford noted her sense of humor never disappeared.
Verb
-
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.
-
It's been 33 years since Jurassic Park first stomped into theaters, and blockbusters haven't been the same since.
Cite this Entry
“Floundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floundered. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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