FLOUNDERING Definition & Meaning

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floundering

[ floun-der-ing ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

struggling, especially clumsily or helplessly:
The vast leap from tonal music to modernism was left to the floundering student to make, unaided.
These classic writing mistakes are guaranteed to unlock the door to instant failure and free you to flop like a floundering fish on the floor.
in imminent danger of failure or catastrophic loss:
The floundering venture laid off half its 200 employees and its chairman resigned.
The player’s 2017 campaign not only revived what looked like a floundering career, it proved to be one of the best he'd ever had in the big leagues.

noun

a clumsy, violent, or chaotic struggle:
With many awkward flounderings, and much spluttering, I managed to keep barely afloat until I reached the shore.
The floundering of the economy in the last decade has left many hardworking individuals without a job.

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Other �y��vlog Forms

�ڱ��ǳܲ�·��·��Բ�·�� adverb
�ܲ�·�ڱ��ǳܲ�·��·��Բ� adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of floundering¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; flounder ¹( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; flounder ¹( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun sense

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The Trump administration has now imposed tariffs of 30% on all South African imports, in a move that is likely to be a huge blow to its already floundering economy.

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The Democrats are floundering in their search for a new message.

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But seeing it floundering in a glittering blue void quickly infatuated the internet.

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She’s been Emmy nominated twice for her guest turn on “Hacks” as DJ Vance, the floundering adult daughter of a self-involved comedian.

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The actor's lawyer Bryan Freedman told CBS News that the newspaper "aided and abetted" a "smear campaign designed to revitalise Lively's... floundering public image".

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