floundering

American  

[floun-der-ing] / ˈflaʊn dər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. 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.

2. 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

1. 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.

Other Word Forms

• flounderingly
  adverb
• unfloundering
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of floundering

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

Example Sentences

They come into this game off the back of three straight defeats without managing a goal, and I can see them floundering again here.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

“Negotiations to end the U.S.-Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz appear to be floundering yet again, resulting in another cautious start to the week across financial markets,” the analyst says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Ashley understands he’s floundering toward some understanding of income inequality, although he never quite gets there.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

So for all their bluster in public, Bondi and Blanche were floundering in court as losses piled up.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 2026

They left the protection of the convoy and headed back toward the floundering little vessels.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

Related Words

• amateurish
• helpless
• inadequate
• incapable
• ineffectual
• inefficient
• inept
• inexperienced
• unqualified
• unskilled
• useless