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
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
-
At the same time, however, the study documented dimming events including in Ukraine and Gaza as wars unfolded, in Venezuela as the economy collapsed, and in parts of Europe when governments enacted energy conservation mandates following the Russia-Ukraine war.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Some officers were killed in the exchange of fire, while others died after part of the building collapsed, according to local police.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
New apartment construction in Los Angeles County tumbled 33% over the same period, hitting an 11-year low in the three months through December.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
As reading scores tumbled over the past decade, parents, scholars and literacy advocates pushed for teaching methods that align with decades of research about how kids learn to read — largely by sounding out words.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Steve flopped his head down on the table.—
Geoffrey Cain,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
-
Part one flopped at the box office in 2016.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Canvas, the learning management system used by UC, Cal State, USC, Stanford and California community colleges, went offline Thursday during finals preparations after a massive cybersecurity breach at Instructure.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
In the Hockomock league, Cheyenne Murray went 2-for-4 with a homer, two runs scored and three driven in as King Philip took down Canton 15-3.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
One attempt to stop single-serve liquor bans failed in the Senate on Tuesday, but it could be revived in another bill.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
-
Having failed to please Greene with her abstractions, Lovelace O’Neal applied the powder directly to her white canvases, covering it in black pigment that became a background to pastel squiggles.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Maybe a whole roast chicken appeared, or its meat was folded into a gooey casserole with a few peas and carrot chunks.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
-
The umbrellas were folded, and the van sped off to drive the four blocks to the Met.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In April, Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo proved to be an effective outlet as Chelsea struggled to cope with their pace.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
During her weekslong trial, friends of Richinses described how the couple had moments of material strife and struggled with infidelity.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundered. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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