1
as in flapped
to move or cause to move with a striking motion
started to flail his arms wildly when he spied a bat in the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in whipped
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
gruesome evidence that the prisoner had been flailed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flailed
Williams then flailed his arms behind him and slapped Doncic in the throat.
—
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
His left leg flailed a bit in the air.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
In a video that went viral on social media, the girl appeared to grip the chairlift in a desperate struggle as her feet flailed in the air, still strapped to her snowboard.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
By then, Achiuwa had already beaten Tyler Kolek in a foot race to the ball, and Brown flailed his arms in frustration while screaming for his All-Star to get off the floor.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
Kickboxing robots flailed wildly before falling over, and some sprinters crashed into rivals.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2025
On Sunday, Merrill flailed at two sliders in the dirt from Tyler Glasnow before looking at a third down the middle for strike three to strand a runner in the first inning.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
His left leg flailed a bit in the air.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
In a video that went viral on social media, the girl appeared to grip the chairlift in a desperate struggle as her feet flailed in the air, still strapped to her snowboard.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
By then, Achiuwa had already beaten Tyler Kolek in a foot race to the ball, and Brown flailed his arms in frustration while screaming for his All-Star to get off the floor.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
Kickboxing robots flailed wildly before falling over, and some sprinters crashed into rivals.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2025
On Sunday, Merrill flailed at two sliders in the dirt from Tyler Glasnow before looking at a third down the middle for strike three to strand a runner in the first inning.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flailed
Verb
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The jacket hugged every contour of your torso and never flapped in the wind.—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
-
As is customary for the deaths of first responders, a gigantic American flag flapped from a crane outside the morgue.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For 10 minutes, Boyd took in the scene as the flags whipped above the center-field scoreboard, Cubs infielders took grounders and stadium workers finished final preparations before 39,712 fans streamed into the ballpark.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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This pizza has soppressata, whipped ricotta and drizzles of hot honey.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Stars forward Arttu Hyry had what appeared to be a wide-open look at a tying goal in the slot, but misfired as the puck fluttered over the net.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As Ember brushed past to turn on the lamp, one of the sheets came unstuck and fluttered out into the hallway, caught in her slight draft.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to court records, Cox pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots at the individual who slashed him and others in the area, which resulted in a bystander being shot multiple times.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As budgets and headcounts continue to get slashed, the culling is coming from the bottom, leaving assistants to support not just one, but sometimes two or three bosses.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly lashed out at allies for refusing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz; the UK is hosting talks with dozens of nations Thursday aimed at forming a coalition focused on that goal.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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After Cooke lashed out verbally, Wilson intervened and later comforted Batula in a conversation picked up by their microphones.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Chancalay flicked a low cross from near the left post through a crowd of defenders for a one-touch finish by Yeboah into a wide-open net that gave Minnesota the lead for good in the 67th minute.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Just then the lights in the apartment flicked off and on, then off again, leaving them in the dark, so Louise hung up.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Star forwards Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min thrashed the struggling visitors.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Phan, who removed his clothes before reaching the shark, stood and watched as the shark thrashed and made its way back into the water.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Delhi skipper Axar Patel got the breakthrough when Sharma slapped him to cover and Nitish Rana took a tough chance above his head in the 10th over.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Andrej, wearing a backward Final Four cap, slapped his dad’s hand, went in for a hug and listened as his dad said a few words, both breaking into big smiles.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flailed. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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