flail

A national brand-name institution with a $2.5 billion endowment and a storied 150-year tradition is suddenly beginning to flail.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

Greg, seeing his daughter flail, decides to do whatever he can to help.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 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

As a beginner, I expected the arms and hands to flail around, knocking the blocks and cups around the room.

From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2026

Next the beast knocked over a jar of apple butter, but the skin lid was tied on tightly, and, flail away at it as he might with his awkward paw, he could not dislodge it.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson

So much of his life is mediated though computer screens that, in person, he flails.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2024

Cure turns toward Aldridge and flails his arms.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2023

Blusteringly self-important, he flails through life, naïve and directionless and pontificating nonetheless.

From New York Times ● May 5, 2023

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

“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

He and Gail gave up their salaries and lived off credit cards while Dave flailed, trying to keep their creditors at bay.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

As time passed and no government help appeared, del Giudice became exasperated and flailed at the rubble.

From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026

They attacked the game, while Rangers flailed wildly.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2025

Cooperation between the state commission and the Department of Air Force also seems to have flailed after the October meeting, with little agreement or communication between the two agencies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 2025

She flailed wildly, and the sky rocked back and forth.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

"There are farmers really flailing away" and drastically concerned about fuel costs, Joe Logan, interim president of the Ohio Farmers Union, told AFP.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

Now a respected New Yorker magazine writer promoting his forthcoming book on the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Michael is contacted by Lou, who has been flailing since returning to the States.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

A humanoid’s frantic attempts to stay upright—arms flailing, legs skittering—bears an uncanny resemblance to the choreographed collapses of Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton.

From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2026

That said, the performances are so captivating that one quickly becomes embroiled in the imperiled fates of the characters and their flailing attempts to either escape or ignore them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

As he advanced on them flailing the branch, he shouted at the top of his voice, “Basil, Basil Stag Hare, where are you?”

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques