ConfusableAges 15–20Flounder or founder
To struggle or move clumsily; to be in difficulty.
The new team floundered without direction.
To fail completely; (of a ship) to fill and sink.
The startup foundered after six months.
Remember: Flounder: struggling, but still going, like a fish flapping on land. Founder: a ship that sinks. One struggles; one sinks.
Short lessonCommonly confused wordsSome words look or sound alike but do different jobs. A small trick keeps them apart.