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
The timing of a Judiciary Committee vote is also in flux at the moment, as a source close to the confirmation process confirms that Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley has not listed a committee vote for Martin on the committee's agenda this week amid growing concerns about his floundering support.
—
Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 6 May 2025
At 48, Miller had floundered and bumbled through a 20-year career, to the dismay of his superiors, who could not muster the will to fire him.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Danson initially floundered in his post-Cheers years with middling films (Made In America, Pontiac Moon, Getting Even With Dad) and TV projects (Ink) that failed to land with audiences.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025
The latter arrangement has floundered amid a trade war with China and was not part of a deal to temporarily bring down tariffs last week.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flounder
Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 6 May 2025
At 48, Miller had floundered and bumbled through a 20-year career, to the dismay of his superiors, who could not muster the will to fire him.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Danson initially floundered in his post-Cheers years with middling films (Made In America, Pontiac Moon, Getting Even With Dad) and TV projects (Ink) that failed to land with audiences.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025
The latter arrangement has floundered amid a trade war with China and was not part of a deal to temporarily bring down tariffs last week.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flounder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flounder
Verb
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While sorting through storage in their Rhode Island studio to prep those reissues, Ivy stumbled upon a treasure trove of reel-to-reel tapes and old hard drives with unused material.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2025
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On a remote island in northern Norway, metal detectorists stumbled upon a pair of bronze treasures.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
Verb
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The Discovery+ streaming service will be shuffled into the Global Networks company.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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Boys as young as 10 are shuffling around, carrying trays of flour, starch and pistachios — undistracted by this reporting team's presence.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Both players have struggled with runners in scoring position this season, but that wasn’t the case Tuesday.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
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For example, prior to May, Tesla's Australia sales struggled amid reports of vandalism and protests related to Musk's work with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and support for far-right parties in Europe.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Accounts Samsung Confirms Upgrade Choice—Galaxy Users Must Now Decide In the spring, males would gather in leks and perform dramatic dances, puffing out orange air sacs on their necks and stomping their feet to show dominance and vitality.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Fifteen kids happily stomp their sneakers to the count.—
John Burnett,
NPR,
7 June 2025
Verb
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The 9 Best Rust Removers for Your Home Step 3: Scrub the Can Opener After Soaking After soaking, dip the toothbrush in the rust remover and use it to scrub the can opener parts, sloughing off any remaining rust and buildup.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 May 2025
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As a new generation sloughed off the integrationist dreams of their Civil Rights forbears in favor of the Black Power Movement’s call for self-determination, Baraka renegotiated his position as a white literary darling and embraced a racial pride reinforced by righteous anger.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flounder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flounder. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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