Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

founder

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of founder

a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor
  • Maria Montessori was the founder of an educational system dedicated to maximizing a child's creative potential
Synonyms of founder

author, begetter, creator, establisher, father, founding father, generator, inaugurator, initiator, instituter (or institutor), originator, sire
Words Related to founder

cocreator, cofounder

conceiver, contriver, designer, deviser, formulator, innovator, introducer, inventor, spawner

builder, maker, producer

developer, pioneer, researcher, researchist

organizer, promoter

encourager, galvanizer, inspiration, inspirer
Near Antonyms of founder

disciple, follower, pupil, student, supporter

founder

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of founder

1 to be unsuccessful
  • the theater company foundered after its corporate funding dried up
Synonyms of founder

bomb, collapse, crater, fail, flame out, flop, flunk, fold, miss, strike out, tank, wash out
Words Related to founder

flounder, struggle

decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane

crash, crumble, miscarry, misfire

go under

implode, self-destruct
Phrases Synonymous with founder

come a cropper, come to grief, come up empty, die on the vine, fall flat, fall on one's face, fall short, lay an egg
Near Antonyms of founder

cook, flourish, prosper, thrive

prevail, triumph, win
Antonyms of founder

click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, succeed, work out
2 to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
  • the twin towers started to sway and suddenly foundered
Synonyms of founder

buckle, cave (in), collapse, crumple, give, go, go out, implode, tumble, yield
Words Related to founder

deflate, flatten, melt, melt down

break, break down, conk (out), crash, die, fail, give out, stall

burst, shatter, smash, splinter, split

crack, crumble, pop, snap
Phrases Synonymous with founder

give way
Near Antonyms of founder

inflate, rise, swell

Learn More about founder

  1. See words that rhyme with founder Dictionary: Definition of founder Medical Dictionary: Definition of founder Spanish Central: Translation of founder Nglish: Translation of founder for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of founder for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up founder? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

redoubtable

Listen to the pronounciation of redoubtable

formidable, illustrious, or eminent

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. dastardly Trump makes threats to Iran

  2. stymie Scottish court rules prorogation illegal

  3. what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander Johnson's comments spark searches

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games