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.
-
Actual sinking exercises provide valuable data on structural damage, flooding, shock effects, and sinking behaviour.
Verb
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The camaraderie was evident on the ground here in La Guaira, the coastal city where quake damage was most severe, collapsing dozens of buildings.
-
Unlike straw or lower-grade wool blends, beaver felt can be reworked without collapsing its structure, which is what allows hats to be reshaped by hand rather than stamped out of a mold.
Verb
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News of their leaving sent Google’s shares tumbling more than 5% on Monday.
-
That shows up clearly in the data, with UK goods exports tumbling relative to other major economies since 2016.
Verb
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The Athletics beat the Dodgers 7-1 on Wednesday night, giving the West Sacramento team its only win of the series with the Dodgers, winners of the past two World Series, failing to secure a three-game sweep.
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Such a bond occurs when a judge grants a compassionate release for inmates who are in failing health and no longer a threat to the community.
Verb
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Brown has talked trash about Sixers center Joel Embiid and has accused him of flopping.
-
Video shows Neil flopping his blubbery body around on the street, destroying fences and cuddling with traffic cones.
Verb
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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.
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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
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Before noon, families had folding chairs lined up along Highways 244 and 16A, in Keystone and Hill City, and not for any parade – just to look up nearly 12 hours from now.
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It can also be lifted using a folding slow-rebound grip that doesn't jarringly snap back down when released.
Verb
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Canada, the first World Cup host to play a game outside its borders, could get a boost if Alphonso Davies, its best player, can play after missing the team’s first three games.
-
Elsewhere, Iran’s soccer team has been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, missing the 32-team knockout stages by one spot in heartbreaking fashion.
Cite this Entry
“Foundering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundering. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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