flounder

[ˈflaʊndər]

flounder Definition

• 1. to struggle to move or obtain footing, as in mud or snow
• 2. to struggle clumsily or helplessly
• 3. to be in serious difficulty

Using flounder: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "flounder" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The hiker floundered through the deep snow.

• Example

  The company is floundering due to poor management.

• Example

  He floundered for words during the interview.

• Example

  The swimmer floundered in the rough waters.

• Example

  The economy is floundering due to the pandemic.

flounder Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for flounder

• struggle
• falter
• stumble
• waver
• blunder

Antonyms for flounder

• succeed
• thrive

Idioms Using flounder

• flounder like a fish out of water

  to feel awkward and uncomfortable in a new or unfamiliar situation

  Example

  As an introvert, I always flounder like a fish out of water at parties.

• flounder in the mud

  to be stuck in a difficult or unpleasant situation

  Example

  The company is floundering in the mud of bureaucracy and red tape.

• flounder on the rocks

  to experience a sudden and unexpected failure

  Example

  The project floundered on the rocks when the funding fell through.

Phrases with flounder

• flounder around

  to move clumsily or without direction

  Example

  He was floundering around in the dark, trying to find his keys.

• flounder on

  to experience difficulty or failure in a particular area

  Example

  The team has been floundering on offense all season.

• flounder out of

  to barely manage to escape from a difficult situation

  Example

  She floundered out of the financial crisis by selling her house.

Origins of flounder

from Middle English 'floundren', meaning 'to plunge'

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Summary: flounder in Brief

The verb 'flounder' [ˈflaʊndər] refers to struggling to move or obtain footing, as in mud or snow, or struggling clumsily or helplessly. It can also mean being in serious difficulty, as in 'The company is floundering due to poor management.' 'Flounder' extends into phrases like 'flounder around,' and idioms like 'flounder like a fish out of water,' denoting awkwardness and discomfort, and 'flounder on the rocks,' implying sudden failure.