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Floundered: meaning, definitions and examples

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floundered

 

[ ˈflaʊndər ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

struggle or stumble

To flounder means to move clumsily or in a confused way. It can also refer to struggling or having difficulty in a situation. The term is often used metaphorically to describe a person who is unsure or unable to make progress. In addition, it can imply a level of confusion or helplessness in a particular circumstance.

Synonyms

falter, flail, struggle, stumble, wobble

Examples of usage

  • She floundered in her explanation during the presentation.
  • The project floundered due to lack of funding.
  • He was floundering in his attempts to learn the new software.

Translations

Translations of the word "floundered" in other languages:

🇵🇹 afundou

🇮🇳 गड़बड़ करना

🇩🇪 schwankte

🇮🇩 terombang-ambing

🇺🇦 плутав

🇵🇱 błądził

🇯🇵 つまずいた

🇫🇷 a échoué

🇪🇸 se tambaleó

🇹🇷 sakatlandı

🇰🇷 휘청거렸다

🇸🇦 تعثر

🇨🇿 klopýtal

🇸🇰 zakopol

🇨🇳 挣扎

🇸🇮 zaletel

🇮🇸 missti

🇰🇿 қиындыққа тап болды

🇬🇪 შეხვდა

🇦🇿 çətinlik çəkdi

🇲🇽 se tambaleó

Word origin

The word 'flounder' has its origins in the Middle English period, derived from the Old English word 'flundra,' which refers to a type of flatfish. The use of 'flounder' as a verb to mean to struggle or move awkwardly has evolved over time, with its first recorded usage dating back to the 16th century. It draws an analogy to the way fish might thrash about when out of water or when caught incorrectly, therefore linking the idea of physical struggle to more abstract forms of difficulty faced by individuals in various situations. This duality of meaning showcases the flexibility of English, where terms can broaden their definitions based on cultural and contextual shifts.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,964, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.