to founder
5
6.8
- verb
- /ˈfaʊndər/
:
fracasar
- In short, PIN seems to have foundered on exactly the details that geopolitics overlooked.
- foundered for lack of support
- process foundered
Examples
-
Early attempts by the core to maintain tight control over the armed forces foundered.
Academic text (2004) -
By 2001, this idea had foundered in the face of market realities.
Academic text (2006) -
Efforts to sell state firms could founder for lack of indigenous capital.
Academic text (1991) -
Other curriculum projects had foundered for lack of support from their academic colleagues.
Academic text (1998) -
European dreams of agricultural development foundered on climate, labor, and capital problems.
Academic text (1991) -
Finally, when all else is satisfactory, a recycling scheme can founder on the rocks of regulatory or other legal barriers.
Academic text (1994) -
But, as appealing as this approach may seem, it will probably founder for the very reasons that make ESS so formidable.
Academic text (2002) -
Past efforts to provide services elsewhere foundered when they ran up against inevitable NIMBYism.
Blog text (25) -
But it too eventually foundered on corruption and crony capitalism.
Academic text (1999) -
After several poor decisions, the team finally foundered, leaving everyone uncertain about the project's future.
Synonyms
579
3.9
To fall down suddenly, for example when a person faints or a building breaks
361
5.1
Go out of business and stop operating
81
5.3
Close a business because it cannot pay its costs
37
4.1
To fail to happen or be finished as planned
35
4.2
Break or fail because of pressure
30
4.4
To collapse inward, as a roof or organization breaking down
22
3.7
Suddenly fall inward because its sides or top become weak, for example a tunnel
19
4.9
To fail to get a response or interest from people
19
4.0
To end without success, often in public like a show
15
5.3
To fail completely and close, especially a business or project
7
7.9
Stop operating because it has run out of money
Antonyms
Compounds
How Successful
Surface Forms
Etymology
The verb founder (to fail or collapse) comes from an older idea related to the Latin fundus meaning 'bottom' or 'ground', so it carried the image of 'going to the bottom'. That's why when a plan or project founders, it 'sinks' and fails completely.