flail

While investment and consumption flail, China’s dollar-denominated exports power on, surging almost 20% year-over-year last month on demand for artificial intelligence and clean-energy products.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

Gobert was initially assessed a common foul, but officials ruled it a flagrant after a review, saying he made an "unnecessary flail" with his arm.

From Barron's ● Feb. 21, 2026

"When other fish get caught in those nets they sort of flail and it sends out a vibration underwater, sort of like ringing the dinner bell," says Prof Pepin-Neff.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2025

Particularly in comedy, we want to see our characters get into jams for the pleasure of watching them wildly flail about trying to get out of them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2025

"Is that your wolf, boy?" a skinny youth called, unlimbering a stone flail.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

In chatty yet carefully measured tunes with nearly as many hooks as words, McRae illuminates the accumulated humiliations and misunderstandings against which every couple flails.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 5, 2025

When he flails the way he did in the playoffs last year, it’s bound to raise suspicions that he’s distracted or not entirely invested in the sport in which he makes his living.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2024

At times it’s hard to recognize the ascending superstar as he flails at pitches out of the strike zone and, despite his seemingly unflappable persona, shows unmistakable signs of pressing.

From Seattle Times ● May 4, 2023

Lawson appears to be pulling Sheppard down, and after Lawson disappears, Sheppard flies more freely, but also flails, falling in beautiful slow-motion arcs.

From New York Times ● Aug. 26, 2022

“I’m sure,” I say, forcing an I’m-fine-you-don’t-need-to-worry-about-me smile to sit on my lips while my hand flails around for the door handle.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

The Braves were a ratings hit, and when the team flailed and went up for sale, Turner’s company became its owner in 1976.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

Stagflation set in, and the Nixon, Ford and Carter administrations all flailed helplessly at the beast.

From Barron's ● Mar. 13, 2026

They attacked the game, while Rangers flailed wildly.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2025

There were costume changes and choreographed dance numbers, even an intro where a moving tentacle flailed halfway out of her mouth.

From Salon ● Apr. 16, 2025

At the same moment, the two boys flailed and tripped.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Netflix and other streamers have already split the film industry down the middle, separating those who venerate the art form from those who venerate the dollar, leaving many Hollywood titans flailing somewhere in the middle.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

Then Mookie Betts drove him in with a comebacker over the mound and past flailing second baseman Edouard Julien.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

"She came out with her two little arms flailing," family friend Rolando told AFP, asking to be identified by only his first name.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

Before finding Caroline eight years ago, some hairdressers - according to Gary - were too "terrified to go near" Oliver's hair because he might catch them with a flailing arm or leg.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

I can see Ms. Cherry flailing, trying to pull herself to standing, high heels slipping on a puddle of cranberry juice.

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins