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 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

Doncic looks like an MVP in purple and gold, while the Mavericks flounder in the cellar of the Western Conference.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

Without that motivation the project would flounder before it had even begun.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025

I still rewatch Hasan doing what he does best, and I admire him—because in that chair I’d probably flounder and set our people back a decade.

From Slate • Jul. 29, 2025

A massive fish, a flounder as big as a tea-tray and as thick as your arm was brought to the table.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl

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!