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flounder

[ˈflaʊndər]

flounder Definition

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

Antonyms for flounder

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.