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.

Henry Ford’s first two automobile-manufacturing companies foundered before the Ford Motor Co. opened in 1903, changing the world with Ford’s dream of an automobile that the average American family could afford.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 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

Le Pen's attempts to win the presidency foundered, although he finished runner-up in 2002.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 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