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
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
But where the movie floundered, the soundtrack – co-produced by Electric Light Orchestra maestro Jeff Lynne – flourished.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 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
Despite the presence of Super Bowl 59 MVP Jalen Hurts, 2024 offensive player of the year Saquon Barkley and All-Pro receiver AJ Brown, the offense floundered with Patullo at the helm.
—Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
Putting them into a 4-2-3-1 system they were used to helped, after the Amorim experiment floundered.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 14 May 2026
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
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
But where the movie floundered, the soundtrack – co-produced by Electric Light Orchestra maestro Jeff Lynne – flourished.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 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
Despite the presence of Super Bowl 59 MVP Jalen Hurts, 2024 offensive player of the year Saquon Barkley and All-Pro receiver AJ Brown, the offense floundered with Patullo at the helm.
—Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
Putting them into a 4-2-3-1 system they were used to helped, after the Amorim experiment floundered.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 14 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floundered
Verb
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Soto, wounded, stumbled into the Wingstop seeking help.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
During the investigation, the team unexpectedly stumbled upon a cellular pathway that blocked the virus from entering lung cells, SWNS reported.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
While many of the brand’s lifestyle models are frequently shuffled in and out of production, the 9060 has held on as a staple of the brand’s lineup nearly four years after its retail debut.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
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He then was shuffled between immigration centers in California, Arizona and Louisiana — before landing in Equatorial Guinea almost six months ago.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Wembanyama, one of the marquee stars of this series, was his usual disruptive presence in the paint defensively but struggled to make a larger impact elsewhere.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
Meta still counts on ads for about 98% of revenue, having repeatedly struggled to sell digital and physical products over the years.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Evidence presented at trial showed Wallace threw the victim to the ground, repeatedly punched and stomped him, and searched his pockets before taking his wallet and other belongings, the DA’s office said.—
Bay City News Service,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
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The accordionist stomped sideways under the stage lights, sweat running down his temples, looking like Angus Young sans schoolboy shorts.—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Floundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floundered. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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