1
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful
the theater company foundered after its corporate funding dried up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of foundered
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
But past negotiations foundered on less ambitious demands.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
The arrest came as a relief to many on campus and in the surrounding Providence community, who endured five days of fear and uncertainty as the investigation foundered with few leads.
—Tovia Smith, NPR, 18 Dec. 2025
Instead, the bipartisan talks to extend the subsidies foundered, setting the stage for a massive spike in health care premiums next year.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
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
But past negotiations foundered on less ambitious demands.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
The arrest came as a relief to many on campus and in the surrounding Providence community, who endured five days of fear and uncertainty as the investigation foundered with few leads.
—Tovia Smith, NPR, 18 Dec. 2025
Instead, the bipartisan talks to extend the subsidies foundered, setting the stage for a massive spike in health care premiums next year.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foundered
Verb
-
As the operation collapsed, the messages show the men scrambling for protection and escape routes.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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In August 2021, as Kabul collapsed and Afghans crowded the gates of Hamid Karzai International Airport, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin — then a Republican member of Congress from Oklahoma — tried to travel to Afghanistan.—
Peter Lucier,
Washington Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In closing arguments Thursday, prosecutors led by Assistant State Attorney Rich Buxman of the Fifth Judicial Circuit relied on testimony by Green’s neighbors, who claimed Hunter and Green tumbled down the stairs during the argument.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
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In a hopeful sign for the downtown struggling office market, the owner of an iconic office tower that tumbled into foreclosure has reached a settlement with its lender to regain control of the 23-story building, in a purchase that will include a new ownership arrangement with a longtime partner.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Even their most consistent hitter of the year flopped in that spot on Sunday as Ramón Laureano went 0-for-5.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Why Frederick Jackson Turner’s Frontier Thesis initially flopped.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hoerner went 3 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs, extending his on-base streak to 11 games.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Monroe went from notable to notorious when, in 1952, journalist Aline Mosby first reported that a pinup calendar—featuring a ravishing blonde nude spread across red velvet—was in fact a photograph of the burgeoning star.—
Joshua John Miller,
Vanity Fair,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Parker said a subcontractor working at the parking garage was in the process of installing precast concrete flooring, decking and roofing segments, and one of them failed.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The implication is that she got distracted and failed to notice the most important things.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The ground beef was chopped fine on the grill and folded together with sweet, softened onions and perfectly melted American cheese, all tucked into a soft roll with crisp lettuce and tomato for balance.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Romero said cities and counties should control development, but favors an annexation approach where portions of unincorporated areas are essentially folded into the city and its infrastructure.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The four-seam fastball was better, that’s something he’s struggled with the command of.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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He was signed with Växjö in the SHL and dominated with their J20 team, but struggled early on in the season, resulting in a loan to Nybro in the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundered. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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