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
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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Witnesses said ambulances and rescue workers rushed to the scene after the roof collapsed.
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Families of the people in both apartment buildings – and others that collapsed in the area – have uploaded videos to social media in the days after the earthquake, pleading for help.
Verb
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The show was so sure-footed in its initial outing, but has ultimately tumbled headlong into a grease trap of its own making, aiming for pungent but landing on precious.
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Samuel Boivin | Nurphoto | Getty Images Micron Technology's shares tumbled on Friday, giving back some of the gains from a post-earnings rally, as the memory chipmaker looked to wrap a rocky week of trading that has seen big swings.
Verb
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Anders Carlson bombed in 2023, then Brayden Narveson flopped at the start of 2024.
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The superhero movie flopped on opening weekend, with domestic ticket sales totaling approximately $38 million.
Verb
-
Hall went north alone again in the spring of 1776 as Georgia’s patriot government, which had removed the royal governor in January and taken control of the colony, debated the priorities the colony would pursue at the Congress.
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Senate Budget Committee Vice Chairman Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, lamented how the budget process went.
Verb
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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.
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Plus, the wide waistband can be folded to fit shorter frames.
Verb
-
Germany, whose 10 goals in the group stage were tied for the most of any team, struggled to find a way through Paraguay's 4-5-1 setup.
-
Even as her body struggled, Gifford noted her sense of humor never disappeared.
Cite this Entry
“Foundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundered. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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