flounderingly
In stumbling fashion
In a floundering manner—struggling awkwardly, moving clumsily, or proceeding with confusion and difficulty.
The word captures someone doing something while visibly struggling to find their footing: She flounderingly attempted to explain the discrepancy in the accounts.
Rare in print but understood when encountered.
In a fruitless manner
- fruitlesslyWithout achieving the goal
- unsuccessfullyWithout achieving intended result
- ineffectuallyWithout producing intended results
- unproductivelyWithout useful outcome
vainly · inadequately · incompetently · feebly · weakly · poorly · inefficiently · uselessly
Clumsily incompetent
- fumblingClumsy, uncoordinated handling
- clumsilyIn an uncoordinated manner
- ungainlyLacking ease of movement
- stumblingWalking clumsily, almost falling
blundering · lumbering · maladroit · gawkily · ineptly · ungracefully · haltingly · ham-handedly
With uncertain delay
- tentativelyWithout full commitment
- waveringlyIn an unsteady manner
- indecisivelyWithout firm resolve
- falteringlyIn an unsteady manner
doubtfully · confusedly · unsurely · gropingly · uncertainly · haltingly · irresolutely · diffidently
With strained breathing
- desperatelyWith urgent intensity
- laboriouslyWith strenuous effort
- effortfullyWith considerable toil
- franticallyIn desperate haste
futilely
In a fruitless manner
- fruitlesslyWithout achieving the goal
- unsuccessfullyWithout achieving intended result
- ineffectuallyWithout producing intended results
unproductively · vainly · inadequately · incompetently · feebly · weakly · poorly · inefficiently · uselessly · impotently
bumbling
Clumsily incompetent
- fumblingClumsy, uncoordinated handling
- clumsilyIn an uncoordinated manner
- ungainlyLacking ease of movement
stumbling · blundering · lumbering · maladroit · gawkily · ineptly · ungracefully · haltingly · ham-handedly · oafishly
hesitatingly
With uncertain delay
- tentativelyWithout full commitment
- waveringlyIn an unsteady manner
- indecisivelyWithout firm resolve
falteringly · doubtfully · confusedly · unsurely · gropingly · uncertainly · haltingly · irresolutely · diffidently · timidly
gaspingly
With strained breathing
- desperatelyWith urgent intensity
- laboriouslyWith strenuous effort
- effortfullyWith considerable toil
flounderinglycompetently
With adequate skill
skillfully · adeptly · expertly · proficiently · masterfully
flounderinglygracefully
With elegant movement
smoothly · fluidly · elegantly · effortlessly · nimbly
flounderinglyconfidently
With self-assurance
assuredly · decisively · purposefully · steadily · surely