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Meaning of floundering
The primary meaning of the word "floundering" is to struggle or move with difficulty, often due to being uncertain or incompetent.
Etymology of floundering
The word "floundering" originates from the verb "flounder", which is derived from the Middle English word "floundren", meaning to struggle or toss about
Historically, the word was used to describe the act of struggling or thrashing about, often in water, and has since expanded to encompass a broader range of meanings related to struggling or moving with difficulty
Synonyms
struggling
faltering
failing
foundering
sinking
drowning
thrashing
flailing
stumbling
staggering
reeling
tottering
wavering
hesitating
vacillating
wavering
teetering
careening
plummeting
nose-diving
free-falling
plummeting
declining
deteriorating
weakening
crumbling
collapsing
disintegrating
losing
misfiring
malfunctioning
sputtering
stuttering
stammering
staggering
lurching
blundering
fumbling
bumbling
stumbling
groping
straining
laboring
toiling
striving
wrestling
grappling
Definitions
- To struggle or flail about, typically in water or in a situation, due to difficulty or uncertainty
- * To move or act clumsily or ineffectively, often due to lack of skill or experience
- * To be in a state of uncertainty or confusion, often resulting in ineffective or uncoordinated actions
Usage Examples
- The swimmer was floundering in the water, unable to stay afloat due to the strong currents
- * The new employee was floundering in his role, struggling to keep up with the demands of the job
- * The team was floundering on the field, unable to coordinate their efforts or score any points