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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of foundered
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
But past negotiations foundered on less ambitious demands.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
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
But past negotiations foundered on less ambitious demands.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foundered
Verb
-
Although Detroit collapsed in the second round, the front office’s confidence in Bickerstaff, who signed a contract extension the day after the Pistons ousted the Orlando Magic in the first round, hasn’t wavered.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Decker collapsed during a training exercise on Thursday afternoon in the 6600 block of North Kedzie Avenue in West Rogers Park.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Yields tumbled Wednesday as oil prices moved lower.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
-
Global markets tumbled and oil prices rose Monday, with the international benchmark Brent crude oil around $110 per barrel.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
That flopped, as have all subsequent attempts to protect nature permanently and on a large scale through the use of markets.—
John Reid,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
Rick Pitino, Billy Donovan, Brad Stevens, Fred Hoiberg, John Calipari, Tim Floyd, Lon Kruger, Mike Montgomery, Leonard Hamilton all left college to try the NBA, and most flopped.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
But the fairy godmother’s spell wore off early in Game 6, which was just 62 seconds old when Vegas went ahead to stay.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
Heartland recruit Sammy Atkinson went 3-for-4 with three runs and two triples, including a leadoff triple that sparked a three-run seventh as the Celtics (16-14) came back from a 5-3 deficit.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Garnacho has had far more opportunities and failed to make an impact.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
The country is going through its worst economic and energy crisis in several decades, mainly the result of years of mismanagement, failed economic policies and corruption.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The outings for both Yesavage and Schlittler folded seamlessly into their season resumés.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
The drag came almost entirely from xAI, which was folded into SpaceX in the February merger.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The promotion remains the sport’s undeniable leader, but has struggled to find a new generation of mainstream stars since Rousey and Conor McGregor in the 2010s.—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Advertisement Two more moderate candidates, state senator Sharif Street and pediatric surgeon Ala Stanford, split votes and struggled to catch fire.—
Julia Terruso,
Time,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundered. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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