flounder
1 synonyms and 0 antonyms for flounder, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To struggle clumsily or act confused, especially when trying to make progress.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use flounder
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English flowndre, ultimately from Old Norse flyðra, the name of the fish.
Full origin of flounder →Frequently asked questions
What does “flounder” mean?
The word “flounder” means to struggle clumsily or act confused, especially when trying to make progress. In plain terms, to struggle awkwardly, or a kind of flatfish.
How do you pronounce “flounder”?
“Flounder” is pronounced FLOWN-duh (/ˈflaʊ̯ndɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “flounder” in a sentence?
Here is “flounder” used in a sentence: “The new employee floundered without proper training.”
What is another word for “flounder”?
Words with a similar meaning to “flounder” include faulter.
What part of speech is “flounder”?
Depending on how it is used, “flounder” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “flounder” come from?
The word “flounder” comes from Middle English. From Middle English flowndre, ultimately from Old Norse flyðra, the name of the fish.
How many meanings does “flounder” have?
“Flounder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to struggle clumsily or act confused, especially when trying to make progress.