1
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful
the theater company foundered after its corporate funding dried up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tumbling
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 foundering
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Any major foundering in New Mexico could have long-lasting consequences.
—Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Judging just by the opening day crowd at the new outlet on Route 44 in Avon, the company’s model shows no sign of foundering despite the turbulent economy.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
Joel Gratz is having a bluebird day at a time when the rest of the Colorado ski industry is foundering.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
These artifacts, like the late 20th- and early 21st-century shipwrecks rusting in Caicos Banks, were monuments to the foundering dreams of successive generations, who tried and failed to make the land pay.
—Henry Wismayer, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Dinosaurs were flourishing, not foundering, as kings of the Cretaceous right up until the end, according to the new study.
—Dino Grandoni The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
Beneath the opaque veneer that cult wineries like Bryant have striven to maintain, is that business model foundering in a changing wine market?
—Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 June 2019
Noun
The process, known as lithospheric foundering, resembles a geological process on Earth in which portions of the planet's outermost layer sink into the mantle.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Any major foundering in New Mexico could have long-lasting consequences.
—Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Axel Disasi was taken underwater, foundering and falling.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Judging just by the opening day crowd at the new outlet on Route 44 in Avon, the company’s model shows no sign of foundering despite the turbulent economy.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
Joel Gratz is having a bluebird day at a time when the rest of the Colorado ski industry is foundering.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
These artifacts, like the late 20th- and early 21st-century shipwrecks rusting in Caicos Banks, were monuments to the foundering dreams of successive generations, who tried and failed to make the land pay.
—Henry Wismayer, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Dinosaurs were flourishing, not foundering, as kings of the Cretaceous right up until the end, according to the new study.
—Dino Grandoni The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
Beneath the opaque veneer that cult wineries like Bryant have striven to maintain, is that business model foundering in a changing wine market?
—Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foundering
Noun
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Finding the wreck Official records detailing Hōfuku Maru’s sinking were incomplete and inconsistent, Beckensall said.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
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Actual sinking exercises provide valuable data on structural damage, flooding, shock effects, and sinking behaviour.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The finding lands in a labor market that has cooled without collapsing.—
Joe Toscano,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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At one point, collapsing from sheer exhaustion.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The records keep tumbling in for Smriti Mandhana.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
9 June 2026
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Investors have fled Jakarta’s equity markets since the start of the year, with the Jakarta Composite tumbling over 35% year to date.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
Verb
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After failing to score with the bases loaded in the third, the Angels pulled away with four runs in the sixth.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
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The lower-than-normal system voltage from a weak battery, failing alternator, slipping belt or poor electrical connection can affect the electric power steering system.—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Plus, the minuscule fines, when they are applied, aren't going to deter millionaires from flopping to get cheap free throws.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
Plant peonies in partial sun and stake them early to prevent flopping and extend bloom quality.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The two candidates also are offering differing solutions for the country’s struggling health system, ballooning public debt and entrenched corruption.—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
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The two candidates also are offering differing solutions for the country's struggling health system, ballooning public debt and entrenched corruption.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Verb
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The two folding chairs are also lightweight, yet sturdy enough to hold up to 350 pounds.—
Kate Donovan,
Southern Living,
22 June 2026
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Samsung's folding phones are the market leaders for now.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
21 June 2026
Verb
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His one big lament was missing a 4-foot birdie putt on the final hole.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
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Mexican authorities released missing person flyers for the couple, who lived in Chicago and Oak Park for decades, and moved to Mexico last fall.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foundering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundering. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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