Flounder
mediumNegative toneFLOWN-der
verb
Definition
To struggle clumsily or helplessly; to be in serious difficulty
Memory hook
FLOUNDER: a flat fish flapping helplessly on land — to struggle clumsily without making progress.
Examples
“The economy continued to flounder despite government intervention.”
“Without proper training, new employees often flounder.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The economy continued to ______ despite government intervention.”
Show answer
flounder
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Flounder is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "struggle" or "stumble" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "thrive".
Related GRE Words
flag
(verb) To become tired or less enthusiastic; to decline in vigor
waver
to be irresolute or hesitate between choices
elusive
Difficult to find, catch, or achieve
extricate
to free from a difficulty or entanglement
involved
Complicated or difficult to understand; intricate
arduous
Requiring great effort; difficult and tiring
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