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Definition
to fail or break-downor:
to physically sink below the surface or fall
A more common meaning refers to someone who establishes or starts something—such as the founder of the University.
A less common meaning refers to someone who manufactures things made from cast metal.
- The project foundered
foundered = failed
- The ship foundered in the storm.
- The strategy foundered with the accident and associated publicity.
- They are off our shore, half foundered — they will sink if they do not land!Madeline Miller -- Circe
- The air here was dark too, and the creepers dropped their ropes like the rigging of foundered ships.William Golding -- Lord of the Flies
- We saw your ship founder and allowed you to come to our island, though usually it is closed to mortals.Madeline Miller -- Circe
- The night was really terrible; it would be a miracle if the craft did not founder.Jules Verne -- Around The World In Eighty Days
foundered = failed
foundered = sunk
foundered = sunken
founder = start to sink