1
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful
the theater company foundered after its corporate funding dried up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tumbled
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
the twin towers started to sway and suddenly foundered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of foundered
On screen, some of our best artists have foundered in translation.
—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
But the president didn’t make clear why a federal takeover of a small airline that has foundered for years would be an efficient use of capital or benefit American taxpayers.
—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
Although in the commercial world, many print publications have foundered, data indicate that for alumni magazines, print remains powerful.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Authentic specializes in acquiring and investing in famous retail properties that have foundered.
—
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
The site contains remains from multiple vessels, suggesting a history of merchant ships that likely foundered in the same treacherous area while approaching the shore.
—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Courts have interpreted Section 230 immunity broadly, and many earlier attempts to hold platforms accountable for child harm have foundered on it.
—
Carolina Rossini,
The Conversation,
26 Mar. 2026
The Eagles entered the 2025 season with a top-tier roster and foundered with an insufficient offensive system.
—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
The kid who gets straight A’s through high school may struggle more in college than the one who foundered in ninth grade, figured out what went wrong, and then kept going.
—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
But the president didn’t make clear why a federal takeover of a small airline that has foundered for years would be an efficient use of capital or benefit American taxpayers.
—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
Although in the commercial world, many print publications have foundered, data indicate that for alumni magazines, print remains powerful.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Authentic specializes in acquiring and investing in famous retail properties that have foundered.
—
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
The site contains remains from multiple vessels, suggesting a history of merchant ships that likely foundered in the same treacherous area while approaching the shore.
—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Courts have interpreted Section 230 immunity broadly, and many earlier attempts to hold platforms accountable for child harm have foundered on it.
—
Carolina Rossini,
The Conversation,
26 Mar. 2026
The Eagles entered the 2025 season with a top-tier roster and foundered with an insufficient offensive system.
—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
The kid who gets straight A’s through high school may struggle more in college than the one who foundered in ninth grade, figured out what went wrong, and then kept going.
—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foundered
Verb
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Niv Shisler, 24, an aspiring rapper who works at Dorfman’s restaurant, moved to the town last November lured by cheap housing when rents collapsed during the war.
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The project had to be unplugged within months — before being widely deployed — when the company behind it collapsed.
Verb
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New-home construction tumbled, then stayed depressed for over a decade.
-
At Mariposa Market in Willits, grocery items, wine bottles and other merchandise tumbled from shelves, leaving aisles littered with broken glass and scattered products.
Verb
-
Thielbar has regressed, while free agent Phil Maton, Hoyer’s main bullpen addition on a two-year, $14 million deal, has flopped like last year’s big bullpen addition, Ryan Pressly.
-
Replay shows the defender never made meaningful contact and the offensive player overly-exaggerated the contact (flopped).
Verb
-
In the 33rd minute, a Dutch corner kick went awry.
-
The Cubs, who have won six of seven, went 7-0 against the Mets this season, outscoring them 51-24.
Verb
-
Morocco lost a pair of 1-0 games before tying Spain but failed to get out of the group stage.
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Despite his storied career, Messi failed to score a goal at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Verb
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Seated near the senators, a woman in a crisp white uniform appears to listen in, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
-
Plus, the wide waistband can be folded to fit shorter frames.
Verb
-
Additionally, both of those players have struggled to provide consistent impact as finishers at the rim and aren’t useful as shooters.
-
The Volkswagen Group has struggled with its internal software division (Cariad) for years.
Cite this Entry
“Foundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundered. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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