flounder

USAGE SUMMARY

'flounder' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to struggle to move or make progress, as in "The campaign was floundering in the polls"; or as a noun to refer to a type of flatfish, as in "I caught a nice flounder off the pier this morning".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We've all seen established brands flounder when they lose the ability to innovate; it's exactly the same for individuals.

The Guardian

They believe that the project is especially misplaced in Honduras, a country crippled by weak state machinery and courts that flounder in the face of organised crime.

The Economist

In the cut-throat markets for consumer goods, for instance, two or three well-run companies dominate, while hundreds of other state firms flounder.

The Economist

That points to one reason the fledgling revival of the vaccine sector may yet flounder: politics.Even in market-minded America, vaccines are seen as a public good, so firms must tread carefully as they try to secure sweeping mandates and squeeze massive profits out of costly new vaccines.

The Economist

He is as confident of the future of Japanese cuisine as he is at manipulating the morsels of mackerel, flounder and tuna perched on rice which draw a steady flow of devotees to his restaurant in Tokyo's Ginza district.

The Economist

Rudy Giuliani leads in every national poll but confronts the problem that it is almost impossible to win nationally if you flounder in the early primaries.Two other candidates have a chance of shaking up the Republican field.

The Economist

Why do so many black children flounder in school?

The Economist

The next time England flounder, its fans will wonder if Kevin could have done better.

The Economist

They have lost their liberal way and now flounder in a state of constitutional confusion.Since the French tend to get their way, once their executive has decided what it wants, it is their model that is being projected on to Europe.

The Economist

But without a much bigger, long-term investment programme, Ukraine's economy will continue to flounder.

The Economist

But despite their relative success they have watched Citi's stock price flounder since 2001, dragged down by its flailing retail side.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flounder" as a verb, ensure the subject clearly indicates what is struggling or failing. For example, "The company floundered after the new regulations were implemented."

Common error

Avoid using "flounder" passively without specifying what caused the struggle. Instead of "The project was floundered", specify "The project floundered due to lack of funding."

Linguistic Context

The word "flounder" functions primarily as a verb to describe struggling, especially in a confused or clumsy way. It also functions as a noun, referring to a type of flatfish. Ludwig AI validates this dual usage, as showcased in examples where entities "flounder" in the face of challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flounder" is a versatile word primarily used as a verb to describe struggling or being in a state of confusion, and as a noun to denote a type of flatfish. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage across various contexts. It's particularly prevalent in news and media, with its neutral register making it suitable for a wide range of writing. When using "flounder", be mindful of its transitive nature to clearly convey what is struggling. While highly versatile, note that alternatives like ""struggle"" or "stumble" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggle

Represents a general difficulty in making progress.

stumble

Implies a loss of balance or coordination.

be confused

Focuses on the mental aspect of being disoriented or perplexed.

struggle to understand

Highlights the difficulty in grasping a concept.

make little headway

Indicates a lack of progress despite effort.

get into difficulty

Implies entering a problematic or challenging situation.

act clumsily

Suggests a lack of grace or skill in one's actions.

European flatfish

Refers specifically to the fish species.

have difficulty

Expresses a general sense of facing obstacles.

be in a state of confusion

Emphasizes the mental disarray or lack of clarity.

FAQs

How can I use "flounder" in a sentence?

You can use "flounder" as a verb to describe struggling or having difficulty, like "The business began to "flounder" after the economic downturn". As a noun, it refers to a type of flatfish, as in "We caught several "flounder" on our fishing trip".

What's the difference between "flounder" and "struggle"?

"Struggle" is a more general term for facing difficulty. "Flounder" implies a more specific type of struggle, often one characterized by clumsiness or confusion. For instance, someone might "struggle" with a task, but "flounder" when faced with unexpected changes.

What can I say instead of "flounder"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""struggle"", "stumble", or "be confused" to convey the sense of difficulty or confusion. If referring to the fish, you might say "flatfish".

Is it correct to say "the company is floundering"?

Yes, it is correct. "The company is "floundering"" uses the present participle form of "flounder" to describe a current state of difficulty or struggle, suggesting the company is not performing well.