1
as in stumbled
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 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
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 the deal floundered when the CBS executives would not accept anything less than 51% ownership – and control – of the channel.
—
Michael J. Socolow, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
Even as Asymmetric floundered, McCann remained active in the crypto world, often posting several times a day to his more than 100,000 X followers.
—Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
In the deal’s wake, though, Saks floundered, experiencing a 16 percent drop in sales year-over-year from the quarter ending in June 30, 2025, for example.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
The Bucks floundered without him and the coach paid the price.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
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
Michael J. Socolow, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
Even as Asymmetric floundered, McCann remained active in the crypto world, often posting several times a day to his more than 100,000 X followers.
—Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
In the deal’s wake, though, Saks floundered, experiencing a 16 percent drop in sales year-over-year from the quarter ending in June 30, 2025, for example.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
The Bucks floundered without him and the coach paid the price.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floundered
Verb
-
Investigators suspect 16-year-old Star Grant and a 28-year-old accomplice killed the girl’s parents and grandmother on May 1 – six days before deputies stumbled onto the crime during a May 7 welfare check, the warrant states.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2026
-
The chain had steady growth in 2024, but seems to have stumbled in California.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Conservation and breeding efforts shuffled three giraffes around Colorado zoos this year — one returning home to Denver after months away, another joining the Denver herd and a third finding a new home in Colorado Springs, according to zoo officials.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
Carlos Mendoza isn’t to blame, nor are this group of players, who are being shuffled around the field like Yahtzee dice.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
In April, Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo proved to be an effective outlet as Chelsea struggled to cope with their pace.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
During her weekslong trial, friends of Richinses described how the couple had moments of material strife and struggled with infidelity.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Rollins repeatedly stomped Breakker in the face and lined up for The Stomp, but Breakker countered, grabbed Rollins’ foot and hit a military press into a gutbuster.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
-
Guest shark Rashaun Williams strapped on his court shoes, wiped them on their mini mat and stomped onto their court.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Floundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floundered. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
