1
as in collapsing
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foundering
Verb
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Transmitted by bites, scratches, or even just by getting a drop of infected blood in one's system, the virus spreads rapidly, effectively collapsing society.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
3 Sep. 2025 -
On the runway, the forms alternate between architectural precision and fluid sensuality, with Scott often layering handwoven crochet against crisp suiting or transparent knits, collapsing binaries between resort wear and luxury evening.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Or the opposite, suddenly words are tumbling onto a page as if someone else is conducting.—
Beverly Gologorsky
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
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Renee Parenteau To say that Shannon Miller knows about tumbling in gymnastics would be an understatement.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In another instance, the museum spotlights a story about an unplanned sinking of the Orca, when a production boat that was pulling the onscreen boat went too fast and yanked out the Orca’s planking.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
4 Sep. 2025
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Research published in 2008 links the seismic activity to a slab of oceanic crust sinking into Earth’s mantle.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Jays left two runners in scoring position with no outs in the third, failing to push the ball out of the infield to earn a lead.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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However, the former fifth-round pick faded over his final couple of years in the Windy City, failing to reach 500 yards receiving in either 2022 or 2023.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Godfather director steals the show here as an energetic, pugnacious and visionary circus ringleader who put his money where his mouth was for a project that wound up flopping critically and commercially.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
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Domnhall Gleeson stars as the new editor-in-chief of a flopping Toledo newspaper tasked with revitalising its output.—
Lucy Ford,
Time,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Even with Muchová so clearly struggling, Osaka faced some weird jeopardy down the stretch.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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However, even people who have these more 'substantial' degrees are struggling.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to the declaration, the fire originated underneath and to the left of Harris, who was unconscious and sitting in a folding plastic lawn chair with metal supports.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Graco jogging strollers also feature adjustable reclining positions and canopies or one-handed folding mechanisms.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Colson Montgomery went 1-for-4 in his return to the lineup after missing two games because of left side soreness.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
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Three others from the encampment, including Flores, are missing, homeless outreach groups say.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Foundering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundering. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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