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.

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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

Still, Allen can sympathize with what he calls the “weird conundrum” that Garrett is going through by having such a successful season on a team that’s floundering.

From The Wall Street Journal

“When the rest of us were floundering around,” Thompson says, “he kind of knew what to do with his life.”

From Los Angeles Times

That rave notice and the many others that followed, along with the rapturous reports sent back by artists and tourists alike, helped shame L.A. into reviving the floundering plans for Disney Hall.

From Los Angeles Times

The 73-year-old had been out of management for more than six years and walked into a club that was floundering on and off the pitch.

From BBC

The Dutch coach who showed such a sure touch last season is suddenly floundering.

From BBC

Related Words

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