1
as in to stumble
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually
unprepared choristers who floundered helplessly through the musical number
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily
the car floundered through the heavy wet snow, constantly getting stuck
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flounder
Even as Marvel’s cinematic oeuvre slid into increasing irrelevance, DC floundered.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Bennett had five coaches in six Calgary seasons and his career was floundering before coming to the Panthers.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
The Jaguars traded up three spots to select the former Colorado standout in the draft and are counting on him to help change the fate of the floundering franchise.
—Mark Long, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2025
Still, the Agency has continued to flounder in terms of recruiting, retaining and promoting women of color.
—Christina Hillsberg, People.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for flounder
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Bennett had five coaches in six Calgary seasons and his career was floundering before coming to the Panthers.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
The Jaguars traded up three spots to select the former Colorado standout in the draft and are counting on him to help change the fate of the floundering franchise.
—Mark Long, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2025
Still, the Agency has continued to flounder in terms of recruiting, retaining and promoting women of color.
—Christina Hillsberg, People.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for flounder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flounder
Verb
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Symptoms include shivering, memory loss, stumbling, confusion and sleepiness.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
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But the Mets’ rotation stumbled in the second half of June and into the All-Star break.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Verb
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All week, campers were shuffled from one activity to the next, mixing games, prayers and church services with lectures that coincide with lessons from the Bible.—
Paul Bersebach,
Oc Register,
12 July 2025
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Guevara, 47, has been shuffled through three detention sites despite Immigration Judge James Ward’s decision to grant him bond on July 1, according to The Associated Press.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
9 July 2025
Verb
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The party of the president usually struggles in a midterm election like next year's race to replace Peters.—
M.L. Elrick,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
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But AmeriCorps officials have struggled in recent years to provide financial information to auditors and have acknowledged the need for reforms.—
Dan Horn,
The Enquirer,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Denver posted a 16-4 mark through the spring of ’23, sweeping the Lakers, then stomping the Heat in The Finals to finally reach the NBA’s summit.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
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Footage shared online shows the woman stomping her feet and kicking her legs from the ground.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Both experts say that dry brushing, the physical exfoliant that sloughs away dead skin cells, can be beneficial to keeping strawberry legs at bay.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
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Pure sugar crystals and AHAs sourced from plants work to slough off skin, while natural botanical oils soothe and hydrate.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flounder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flounder. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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