Thesaurus results for FLAIL

flail 1 of 2

verb

Definition of flail

as in to flutter

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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as in to whip

to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible gruesome evidence that the prisoner had been flailed

Synonyms & Similar Words

flail

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of flail

Verb

Even with its offense flailing, the Trojans somehow cobbled together a touchdown drive in the second quarter, thanks to three Wisconsin penalties, all of which handed them first downs. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 The offensive line was atrocious, giving up pressure after pressure and flailing helplessly in the run game too. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 And for the next 17 years, SunZia flailed, never even breaking ground. — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026 The tone was set by the penalty Hornicek conceded in the fourth minute, flailing at what should have been a simple ball to collect as Ephron Mason-Clark rushed towards him, the keeper then catching the feet of Cherif. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flail

Verb

Jackson threw a lateral to wide receiver Tucker Cusano, who was supposed to throw downfield, but the ball appeared to slip out of his hand and fluttered into the air.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 1 Nov. 2026
The big night As a photographer’s shutter clicks, Folger flutters a mascara wand over her lashes while preparing for opening night at the Elysian.

— Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of flutter

Verb

There’s getting into shape and then there’s whipping a company into shape, preparing it for the fast-moving future.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
Now comes Denver, which whipped the Panthers in Super Bowl 50 because Carolina couldn’t handle the Broncos’ pass rush.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of whip

Verb

From then on, whenever UV light hits the patch, its electrical resistance drops for a moment, and a small onboard chip responds by blinking an LED or flapping the wings.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2026
No blemish can be ignored, no extra ounce of flesh can be left flapping.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of flap

Verb

In Fallen Leaves Adult pests, larvae, and eggs can all hide out in old and fallen leaves that have dropped off deciduous plants, trees, and dead veggies.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 6 Nov. 2026
What starts as a thrilling hustle exposes just how many guns are hiding inside the homes of their seemingly safe community.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of hide

Noun

Fortunately, plenty of new high-tech tools offer assistance, including robot guide dogs, a cane-bot (looking a bit like a small R2D2 with giant wheels), multiple types of smart glasses with descriptive audio, and even a haptic vest for blind dogs.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
My wife requires a cane or walker due to spinal stenosis and muscular weakness.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of cane

Verb

Milei’s austerity drive has produced a rare budget surplus and slashed annual inflation from 200% to about 32%.

— Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
The Catholic Church has criticized Milei’s austerity measures that have slashed social spending, and his embrace of artificial intelligence.

— Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of slash

Noun

And even when everyone is behaving legally, teams sometimes use the opportunity as a cudgel in salary negotiations with employees.

— Stephanie Apstein, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026
Many Muslim-Americans feel as though their faith is being used as a cudgel against them in a political world that sometimes treats Muslim candidates as outsiders, rather than citizens.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of cudgel

Browse Nearby Words

flag-wavers

flail

flailed

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Style

“Flail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flail. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of flail

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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