foundered

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After nearly a year of sailing, the ship struck a reef in heavy storms and foundered on May 21, 1832.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Instead, they foundered in the breeze, squeezing out whatever bitter juice was left in a dirge that would prove to drag on for at least another week.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

They have delivered big, one-off victories in the Six Nations, but in the eight years on Townsend's watch, when the moment in the campaign has arrived to kick on and properly challenge, they have foundered.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2025

The five living presidents who succeeded him, whose own Mideast peace efforts sometimes bore brief fruit but more often foundered, have all paid public tribute to him, in their own ways.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2025

He had foundered in school after teachers told him he had no head for figures.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson