Here are some ways to understand the word:
* Physically: Imagine someone trying to walk on ice and slipping and sliding.
* Mentally: A person might flounder when they are confused and don't know what to do next.
* Emotionally: Someone might feel floundering when they are overwhelmed by grief or sadness.
* Generally: A business might be floundering if it's losing money and failing to meet its goals.
Here are some synonyms for floundering:
* Struggling
* Failing
* Faltering
* Hesitating
* Wobbling
* Stumbling
* Losing ground
Example sentences:
* The small boat floundered in the rough seas.
* The student floundered during the presentation, unable to answer the professor's questions.
* The company is floundering due to a lack of leadership.