founderings
Vessels going under
Founderings is the plural of foundering, instances of failing or collapsing.
A ship founders when it fills with water and sinks; a horse founders when it stumbles or goes lame; a project founders when it falls apart.
The word often appears in discussions of institutional decline: The founderings of several major banks triggered the crisis.
Not to be confused with flounderings, which suggests awkward struggling rather than collapse.
Suddenly falls inward
- breakdownsSudden failures or collapses
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
- stumblingWalking clumsily, almost falling
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
disintegration · crumbling · unraveling · floundering · decline · derailment · implosion · downfall
Acts of going underwater
- shipwrecksDestroyed vessels underwater
- capsizingsBoats overturning in water
- groundingsPunishments limiting freedom
- hullsProtective outer coverings
vessels · wrecks · reefs · shoals · maritime · salvage · distress · lifeboats
Walking clumsily, almost falling
- lamenessImpaired ability to walk
- hoovesUngulate foot coverings
- horsesLarge domesticated hoofed mammals
- inflammationProtective tissue response
farrier · laminitis · overfeeding · grain · pasture · soreness · veterinary · treatment
Legal declarations of insolvency
- insolvenciesStates of unpayable debt
- collapsesSuddenly falls inward
- closuresActs of sealing shut
- failuresUnsuccessful attempts or outcomes
liquidations · downturns · ventures · startups · enterprises · mismanagement · debt · restructuring
collapses
Suddenly falls inward
- breakdownsSudden failures or collapses
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
- stumblingWalking clumsily, almost falling
deterioration · disintegration · crumbling · unraveling · floundering · decline · derailment · implosion · downfall · ruin
sinkings
Acts of going underwater
- shipwrecksDestroyed vessels underwater
- capsizingsBoats overturning in water
- groundingsPunishments limiting freedom
hulls · vessels · wrecks · reefs · shoals · maritime · salvage · distress · lifeboats · bilge
stumbling
Walking clumsily, almost falling
- lamenessImpaired ability to walk
- hoovesUngulate foot coverings
- horsesLarge domesticated hoofed mammals
inflammation · farrier · laminitis · overfeeding · grain · pasture · soreness · veterinary · treatment · pain
bankruptcies
Legal declarations of insolvency
- insolvenciesStates of unpayable debt
- collapsesSuddenly falls inward
- closuresActs of sealing shut
failures · liquidations · downturns · ventures · startups · enterprises · mismanagement · debt · restructuring · bailouts
founderingssuccesses
Favorable outcomes achieved
triumphs · achievements · prosperities · victories · breakthroughs
founderingsrescues
Frees from danger
salvages · salvagings · recoveries · saving · flotations
founderingsstabilizations
Acts of making firm
survivals · holdings · strengthening · consolidations · standings