founder 1 of 2

noun

ˈfau̇n-dər How to pronounce founder (audio)
Definition of foundernext
as in creator
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

founder

2 of 2

verb

ˈfau̇n-dər How to pronounce founder (audio)
1
as in to collapse
to be unsuccessful the theater company foundered after its corporate funding dried up

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to go
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure the twin towers started to sway and suddenly foundered

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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 founder
Noun
Roy, now 44, the founder and owner of Construction Advocacy Professionals, or CAP, was an important prosecution witness a year ago at the trial that ended in Diamantis’ conviction on nearly two dozen extortion, bribery and false statement charges. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026 Unlike the typical, Western beauty origin story — where an entrepreneur launches a specialized startup and scales through venture capital — Fas does not have a single founder. — Kati Chitrakorn, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
Even before this high-profile addition to his staff, Chesney was already building early momentum in his significant rebuilding project at a program that has foundered over the past decade. — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 Previous attempts to reach an agreement have foundered amid mutual suspicion and each side's insistence that the other must move first. — Nidal Al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for founder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for founder
  1. creator
  2. collapse
  3. go
  4. author
  5. flop
  6. go out
  7. father
  8. fail
Noun
  • The company is also hoping to build a business around training the next generation of creators.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Churchill took the idea to Gilded Age showrunner and creator Julian Fellowes as well as HBO head of drama Francesca Orsi and CEO Casey Bloys.
    — Alex Zalben, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of creator
Verb
  • Scientists previously believed that flexible connectors caused structures to collapse into disorder.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • That contributed to a crazy final quarter that featured 10 drives, six total touchdowns and three touchdown passes from Cutforth to drag the Broncos away from one of the worst collapses in recent Boise State history.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • All but 10% of those funds would go towards bolstering the state’s healthcare system.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • His tariffs and, in particular, go-it-alone war with Iran stoked inflation and sent the cost of gas, diesel, groceries and fertilizer soaring.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of go
Noun
  • The study's authors also work for Microsoft, making independent testing especially important before hospitals consider relying on the technology for patient care.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Much like on Baby Keem’s Ca$ino, another recent rap epic undone by its author’s inability to overcome lingering trauma, BigX can’t always navigate around his unnamed haters.
    — Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of author
Verb
  • One day after being retroactively fined for flopping on a play against Utah, forward Ziaire Williams was whistled for the violation again during the fourth quarter Tuesday.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Because the flopping infraction carries no suspension, George remains fully cleared to suit up Friday when Boston hosts his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of flop
Verb
  • According to various reports, Joe went out and negotiated a new contract without telling Troy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The team just went out and traded for Jeffery Simmons to bolster the defense, and perhaps that will make the difference.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of go out
Noun
  • His daughter, Tia, a second grade teacher, shed tears while speaking about father.
    — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Prosecutors also charged Guzman with misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol and causing injury to Joshua Mazur, the child’s father.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of father
Verb
  • Resolution allows regulators to transfer a failing bank's deposits to other institutions before liquidating its remaining assets.
    — EMILIO SANABRIA, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • If power fails or core temperatures rise, the system shuts down and the liquid fuel salt drains by gravity into passive dump tanks without operator action.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of fail

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Cite this Entry

“Founder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/founder. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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