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Foundered: meaning, definitions and examples

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foundered

 

[ ˈfaʊndərd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

business failure

Foundered refers to the state of a business or organization that has failed, typically due to a lack of financial stability or poor management. It conveys a sense of collapse and can also imply a failure in plans or projects.

Synonyms

collapsed, crashed, failed, floundered

Examples of usage

  • The company foundered after years of mismanagement.
  • Their original plans for expansion foundered in the face of competition.
  • Many startups founder due to insufficient funding.
Context #2 | Verb

shipwreck

To founder can also mean to sink or capsize, particularly in reference to a ship or boat. It denotes a failure to stay afloat, often due to rough seas or structural issues.

Synonyms

capsize, sink, submerge

Examples of usage

  • The vessel foundered during the storm.
  • They feared the ship would founder if the leaks weren't fixed.
  • Several boats foundered in the turbulent waters.

Translations

Translations of the word "foundered" in other languages:

🇵🇹 afundado

🇮🇳 डूबा हुआ

🇩🇪 gescheitert

🇮🇩 terbenam

🇺🇦 заснований

🇵🇱 zatonął

🇯🇵 沈没した

🇫🇷 sombré

🇪🇸 hundido

🇹🇷 batan

🇰🇷 침몰한

🇸🇦 غرقت

🇨🇿 založen

🇸🇰 potopený

🇨🇳 沉没的

🇸🇮 potopljen

🇮🇸 sökkvandi

🇰🇿 сүңгіген

🇬🇪 დაძირული

🇦🇿 batmış

🇲🇽 hundido

Word origin

The term 'founder' comes from the Middle English word 'foundren,' which is derived from the Old French 'fondre' meaning 'to melt, melt down' and the Latin 'fundere,' meaning 'to pour out.' Historically, it was associated with the concept of sinking or causing to sink. The use of 'founder' in the context of business failure emerged in the late 19th century, reflecting a broader understanding of failure beyond just physical sinking to include metaphorical loss or collapse. This evolution of meaning illustrates the term's adaptability in language as it transitioned from its original nautical implications to encompass financial and operational failures in various sectors.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,331, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.