flounder
verb (used without object)
to struggle with stumbling or plunging movements (usually followed by about, along, on, through, etc.).
had been floundering
-
past perfect progressiveof flounder.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
After more than a decade of failed attempts to raise money, blown deadlines and rebrands, it had been floundering.
From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026
White, who had been floundering himself, suddenly locks on the target and wraps up the affair with panache: 21.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 10, 2023
Several shows set house records at the theaters where they are being performed, including the revival of “Funny Girl,” which had been floundering financially until its producers brought in Lea Michele to star.
From New York Times ● Jan. 4, 2023
His second unit had been floundering, which left him searching for in-house options to bolster its scoring and impact.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 15, 2015
Now Harry Warrington had been floundering for ever so long a time past, and out of his proper element.
From The Virginians by William Makepeace Thackeray
