foundering

/ˈfaʊn.dər/ (bre, ipa) · [fˈaʊndɚɪŋ] /ˈfaʊn.dɚ/ (ame, ipa) · [fˈaʊndɚɪŋ] /ˈfau̇n-dər/ (ame, mw)

foundering — verb

  • founderingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • founderings3rd person singular
  • founderinging-ing form
  • founderingedpast simple

1. When a ship or boat fills with water and goes down below the surface of the wate

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

When a ship or boat fills with water and goes down below the surface of the water — for example, an old wooden fishing boat foundering in a typhoon.

例句

The old fishing boat foundered in the storm off the coast of Taiwan.

intransitive: vessel + foundered + in [weather condition]

Nikhil watched as the cargo ship foundered after hitting a massive rock.

同義詞
  • sink

    general term for going underwater; 'founder' specifically describes sinking by taking on water

  • go down

    informal, less specific about the cause

  • submerge

    more technical; can be used transitively or intransitively (C1)

反義詞
  • float

    staying on the surface of water

文法句型

vessel + founders

founder + in [weather/location]

用法筆記

Used exclusively for water vessels (ships, boats, ferries). The verb is intransitive — it never takes a direct object, so passive constructions like 'was foundered by' are incorrect. Distinguish from 'flounder', which sounds similar but means 'to struggle clumsily' and does not imply sinking.

常見錯誤

❌The ship was foundered by the storm.
✅The ship foundered in the storm.
💡'founder' is intransitive and cannot take a direct object.

2. When a plan, project, relationship, or system fails completely because of seriou

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

When a plan, project, relationship, or system fails completely because of serious problems — for example, peace talks foundering after one side walks out, or a business foundering because it runs out of money.

例句

The peace talks foundered after both sides refused to compromise on borders.

abstract subject: talks + founder + over [issue]

Evelyn's catering business foundered when her main client moved overseas.

同義詞
  • collapse

    more general; can describe buildings as well as abstract things (B2)

  • fall apart

    informal, suggests gradual rather than sudden failure

  • break down

    common for machines, communication, or negotiations; may be temporary

反義詞
  • succeed

    achieve the desired outcome (A2)

  • thrive

    grow and do well (B2)

文法句型

abstract noun + founders

founder + over [issue]

founder + without [resource]

用法筆記

Subject is usually an abstract noun ('talks', 'marriage', 'business', 'plan', 'partnership'). Implies complete and irreversible breakdown — unlike 'fail', the word carries a dramatic, shipwreck-like metaphor. Not used for minor setbacks or personal test results.

常見錯誤

❌I foundered my math exam.
✅Her business foundered after six months.
💡'founder' is not used for personal failures or tests; it describes the collapse of systems, plans, or relationships.

foundering — noun