as in failing
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1
as in struggling
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually
unprepared choristers who floundered helplessly through the musical number
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shuffling
to move heavily or clumsily
the car floundered through the heavy wet snow, constantly getting stuck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of floundering
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Saige Miller,
NPR,
22 June 2026
Billy Joel was floundering as a recording artist when Davis signed him in 1973.
—
Jason Kravarik,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
One day after optioning struggling rookie Andrew Painter to Triple-A, the Phillies are sending down another floundering pitcher.
—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
In 2020, when many saw in Joe Biden a floundering candidate, a loose coalition of black women activists saw an opportunity.
—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
The comedian admits floundering in his mid-20s and winding up behind bars.
—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
While the Blues entered the 2025/26 campaign with high hopes after lifting the Club World Cup, the team failed to live up to expectations, floundering in the Premier League and going through three different managers in the space of only a few months.
—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Before Tan took over as CEO in March 2025 , the foundry business was floundering, trying to do many things at once.
—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Its economy has been floundering.
—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2026
Adjective
Or maybe this team just looked itself in the mirror and made the corrections that could have saved a floundering season.
—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
The opportunity to elect a Democrat has generated enthusiasm within the Utah Democratic Party in an era when sentiment for the national party is floundering.
—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
22 June 2026
Billy Joel was floundering as a recording artist when Davis signed him in 1973.
—
Jason Kravarik,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
One day after optioning struggling rookie Andrew Painter to Triple-A, the Phillies are sending down another floundering pitcher.
—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
In 2020, when many saw in Joe Biden a floundering candidate, a loose coalition of black women activists saw an opportunity.
—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
The comedian admits floundering in his mid-20s and winding up behind bars.
—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
While the Blues entered the 2025/26 campaign with high hopes after lifting the Club World Cup, the team failed to live up to expectations, floundering in the Premier League and going through three different managers in the space of only a few months.
—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Before Tan took over as CEO in March 2025 , the foundry business was floundering, trying to do many things at once.
—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Its economy has been floundering.
—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floundering
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.
Verb
-
Trump taking the country to war with Iran, in part at the urging of his pal Bibi — without any sensible plan, debate, sanction from Congress or consideration as to how this might hurt Americans already struggling to make ends meet.
-
The rules were altered in 2004 at the urging of Algeria, which was struggling to field a competitive national team with wholly domestic players and saw dozens of better prospects from the diaspora living in France.
Verb
-
Enola dutifully trudges between clues and possibilities, shuffling through crime scenes and racing around shady spaces, all of this much more paint-by-numbers than connect-the-dots.
-
Colombia is trying its luck from distance, but Costa has been equal to each shot, first punching away Jefferson Lerma's rocket from the right, about 25 yards out, and then shuffling his feet to his left and catching Jhon Arias's shot from about the same distance.
Adjective
-
What’s the vibe for you, post-dying?
-
Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.
Verb
-
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also fallen foul of Germany’s World Cup elimination by Paraguay, after stumbling into a social media debacle following a communications blunder.
-
There's been some stumbling plays, thwarted by tripping and dramatic falls.
Verb
-
The name Chelydra serpentina evokes colossal reptiles stomping through ancient forests.
-
That feeling solidified during their solo date, which included stomping grapes, exploring a winery and making a promise to open a special bottle of wine together one year later.
Adjective
-
The skyway corridors with highest density sit directly atop the most languishing streetscapes, Spencer said, and vice versa.
Cite this Entry
“Floundering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floundering. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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