The meaning of FLAILING is moving, swinging, or beating wildly like a flail —used especially of a person or a person's limbs. How to use flailing in a sentence.

He was flailing for something on which to cling to avoid the accusation of total absurdity.

2. To strike or lash out violently: boxers flailing at each other in the ring. 3. To make energetic but aimless or or ineffectual efforts: "As the end of law school approached, Hill flailed briefly in numerous …

Tall and gangly, painted and bewigged to resemble one of his puppets, he struts like a marionette, his long limbs flailing jerkily as he dominates the stage. He came up beyond the breaker, and there she …

moving about randomly and wildly, or making desperate attempts to respond to a challenge. I was pushed out of bed by the flailing limbs of my overexcited little boy. There was no real strike, only a …

Sep 26, 2025 · flailing (comparative more flailing, superlative most flailing) Having a lack of coordination, control, or successful outcome.

The wounded animal lay on the ground, flailing helplessly. He was wildly flailing about/around on the dance floor. The bird's wings flailed the water.

Definition of flail verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [intransitive, transitive] flail (something) (about/around) to move around without control; to move your arms and legs around …

To flail means to wave around wildly. If you are stranded on a deserted island and you see a ship in the distance, it’s a good idea to flail your arms in the air to get the captain’s attention. Flail originates with …

Flailing refers to the action of waving or swinging something about in an uncontrolled manner. It often conveys a sense of desperation or lack of control, similar to how a person might flail their arms in panic.