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

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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 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
  • Drunken dragonrider Ulf the White's rage proves pivotal Debaucherous dragonrider Ulf White (Tom Bennett) stumbles into playing a major role in the final battle with his dragon Silverwing.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Bartels and Howe pitched the movie as a love letter focusing on a single summer about a kid who stumbles into a restaurant and finds his calling.
    — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of stumbles
Verb
  • In the clip, Dawkins shuffles out onto the field with no shirt, a pair of Crocs and a clear plastic bag ready to get the ol' inside-out treatment.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • An exhibition game also shuffles the storylines — some players emerge, others might fade.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of shuffles
Verb
  • Don’t wait until a leader is tapped on the shoulder to take a top job only to realize the leader struggles with collaboration or lacks executive presence.
    — Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Only the collision between Manette, Darnay and Carton unleashes a complex love triangle as both men fight for her love and Manette struggles over whom to choose.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 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

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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 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flounders

Nglish: Translation of flounders for Spanish Speakers

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