flounders

verb

present tense third-person singular of flounder
1
as in stumbles
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 shuffles
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 flounders Henry, the principal owner, has made Kennedy the team spokesman and Kennedy said he’s not focused on his own job security as the organization flounders into obscurity. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flounders
  1. stumbles
  2. shuffles
  3. struggles
  4. stomps
Verb
  • Yet things truly take a turn one day after Miguel stumbles upon a boy, Felipe (Yago Andreu), chained beneath the old water tank near the witch’s old, run-down house.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026
  • In the first, a quick history tour revisits how bad Minions have been in their quest to find villains to serve, until one group lands in 1920s Hollywood and stumbles into stardom.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 7 July 2026
Definition of stumbles
Verb
  • On a cloudy-white Sunday morning in June, Joey Phelps shuffles into the familiar back pew of Yeakley Chapel, the small Methodist church that has been a part of his life for nearly 50 years.
    — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 5 July 2026
  • As though on cue, Wardrobe — my beloved, and giant, closet — shuffles over from the corner of my room, the mahogany wood groaning with the effort.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Definition of shuffles
Verb
  • The actor plays Rob Gordon, a Chicago music-store owner who struggles with relationships and responsibility.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 16 July 2026
  • Speaking of social media, your Five Star Weekend character struggles a bit with authenticity and her followers.
    — Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • If anything, the dichotomy between the pop star who prances around Versailles in a sheer nightie and the pop star who stomps onstage in knee-high combat boots feels completely authentic and intentional.
    — Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • Suddenly, the trees part and a Tyrannosaurus rex stomps into view.
    — RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
Definition of stomps

Browse Nearby Words

floundering
flounders
flourish
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Cite this Entry

“Flounders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flounders. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flounders

Nglish: Translation of flounders for Spanish Speakers

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