Definitions

flounder

[floun-der] / ˈflaʊn dər /

VERB

struggle; be in the dark

Synonyms

STRONGEST

flop stumble wallow

STRONG

blunder bobble flummox fumble grope labor lurch muddle plunge pratfall snafu strive thrash toil toss travail tumble

WEAK

cast about come apart at the seams drop the ball fall down foul up go at backwards go to pieces make a mess of miss one's cue screw up slip up stub one's toe trip up work at

Antonyms

STRONG

idle laze

WEAK

do well succeed

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.

“The Little Sister” grows even more intriguing once the love affair runs aground, forcing Fatima to flounder in her heartache.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

“If you want to have the stuffed flounder, buy it yourself.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

The outlook for younger workers could flounder if the effects of the recent oil shock lead to a pullback in discretionary spending.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

And recent history shows this is the month where City excel and Arsenal flounder.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

To flounder is to stumble awkwardly or thrash about like a fish out of water.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Vocabulary lists containing flounder

List 2

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

A Vocabulary Bestiary: Animals That Behave as Verbs

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!