flounder
verb (used without object)
to struggle with stumbling or plunging movements (usually followed by about, along, on, through, etc.).
had floundered
-
past perfectof flounder.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
"Her agenda had floundered, her own party had turned on her and commentators widely speculated on whether she could outlast a head of lettuce. She couldn't," wrote the New York Times.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2022
Earlier this year ValueAct, which owns a 4.4% stake in Seven & i, took an unusual step of going public with its concerns after private discussions with management had floundered.
From Reuters ● May 5, 2022
He would get his career — which had floundered in recent years — back on track.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 17, 2021
And as he led a team that had floundered for seven straight seasons back to the playoffs, it conferred upon him a measure of celebrity unattainable for many a hockey player.
From New York Times ● Aug. 20, 2021
Within hours, the coup had floundered, and instead of seizing power, the Pazzis were themselves seized.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
