floundered

verb

past tense of flounder
1
as in stumbled
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually unprepared choristers who floundered helplessly through the musical number

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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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floundered
  1. stumbled
  2. shuffled
  3. struggled
  4. stomped
Verb
  • One day, in Korea, near the Chosin Reservoir, his marine division stumbled into a surprise attack by a hundred thousand Chinese infantry.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • Chipmakers have stumbled as some investors are taking profits after strong rallies.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Definition of stumbled
Verb
  • One Wednesday evening in May, at the boutique hotel Dream Hollywood — located just off the Walk of Fame — a young hotel staff member shuffled over to her co-worker to discuss a special guest on the top floor.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Overshadowed by the Folarin Balogun mess is how impressively Rudi Garcia shuffled his midfield and organized his tactics to perfectly counter how Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT wanted to play.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of shuffled
Verb
  • The Mets jumped out to a 9-4 lead as KC starter Seth Lugo struggled in his return to Citi Field.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
  • The Sparks struggled to transition to the basket, giving up 19 turnovers resulting in 25 free baskets.
    — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of struggled
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.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • It's been 33 years since Jurassic Park first stomped into theaters, and blockbusters haven't been the same since.
    — Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
Definition of stomped

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Cite this Entry

“Floundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floundered. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of floundered for Spanish Speakers

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