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
Márquez has been a trade topic for several seasons due to the Rockies' floundering during his tenure.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
While Willard recently decried Maryland’s lack of resources, Vanderbilt often flounders behind its SEC peers in terms of spending and on-field results in football and men’s basketball.
—C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Though Democrats have floundered to find a national party leader to rally behind since Trump won the 2024 election, Republicans are similarly dealing with a murky 2028 picture.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2025
The only person not pulling their weight in the ensemble is Porsha, who continues to flounder during what could’ve been an epic comeback.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flounder
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
While Willard recently decried Maryland’s lack of resources, Vanderbilt often flounders behind its SEC peers in terms of spending and on-field results in football and men’s basketball.
—C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Though Democrats have floundered to find a national party leader to rally behind since Trump won the 2024 election, Republicans are similarly dealing with a murky 2028 picture.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2025
The only person not pulling their weight in the ensemble is Porsha, who continues to flounder during what could’ve been an epic comeback.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flounder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flounder
Verb
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Per a fan video, at one point during the show, after spinning his microphone and tossing it towards the audience, Joel appeared to stumble, falling backwards and landing on his side.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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And then there are those, like Mia, who stumble on their birth families inadvertently.—
Barbara Demick,
New Yorker,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The team then trained three seals–Nick, Luca, and Miro–to shuffle into place in front of a large screen and showed them the simulations.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
29 May 2025
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When one of the figures is placed at the top of a ramp, the force of gravity causes the toy to walk down to the bottom by shuffling its legs back and forth.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
23 May 2025
Verb
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From dropout to overachiever For most of her life, Mui struggled to fit into society’s mold.—
Ernestine Siu,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
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Rob Crossan January 17, 2025 Marketed as a luxury tourist destination, the Maldives struggles with the legacy of an authoritarian government and the existential threat of climate change.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
23 May 2025
Verb
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While wearing a mini tuxedo, Lorenzo slowly stomped down the aisle and paused at the puddle of petals.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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Boston Haitian community joyfully stomped, danced and marched their way down Blue Hill Ave.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Although exfoliation is beneficial, sloughing away the dead skin cells that can clog pores and make skin look less than radiant, doing it too often can cause irritation, redness, and even breakouts.—
Lindy Segal,
Allure,
23 May 2025
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With their glue dissolved by glycolic acid, those tough, rough layers of dead skin cells can be sloughed away more easily.—
Deanna Pai,
Glamour,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flounder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flounder. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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