flail

They scampered around the office looming above the Outdoor stage, while delighted fans on the ground watched them flail behind glass.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 2026

With the USA bats continuing to flail against Rodriguez, the Venezuelans doubled their lead in the top of the fifth inning.

From Barron's ● Mar. 18, 2026

Such small fry could easily flail or fail.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 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

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

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

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

Men wore black, rhythmically beating their chests in mourning or using flails to strike their backs.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 28, 2023

But the drama flails in its final stages.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2023

Wendell Pierce, as Willy, is wrenching as he flails and fails to avoid his fate instead of slumping into it from the start.

From New York Times ● Oct. 9, 2022

The laddoo gurgles and flails his pudgy hands forward toward me, smacking the keyboard.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

The new storefronts have especially been a boon for malls, which flailed after the rise of online shopping.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 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

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

I decide not to tell him that I ended up being sent back to tadpole after almost drowning another camper while I flailed around in the deep end.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass

“His flailing is a terrible blow to U.S. deterrence,” said Daniel Shapiro, a senior Pentagon official during the Biden administration who also served as U.S. ambassador to Israel under President Barack Obama.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

Neill’s performance is as flailing and furious as hers, and together, they turn “Possession” into a radical piece of filmmaking that has deservedly earned its cult following and late reverence.

From Salon ● Jul. 17, 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

Up till then I’d just been flailing for survival.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo