Synonyms of flail

flail 1 of 2

verb

1

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

• flutter
• flap
• whip
• flop
• swing
• wave
• sway
• beat
• smack
• flick
• knock
• thump
• flit
• spank
• bang
• oscillate
• pound
• flicker
• batter
• fan
• pulse
• undulate
• throb
• buffet
• palpitate

2

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

• whip
• hide
• slash
• flick
• lash
• thrash
• slap
• hit
• flagellate
• switch
• leather
• spank
• flog
• cut
• punch
• knock
• scourge
• maul
• horsewhip
• smack
• lick
• whale
• bat
• tan
• cowhide
• whack
• birch
• bang
• clap
• rawhide
• strap
• pound
• clip
• cane
• swipe
• thump
• beat
• swat
• quirt
• smite
• pummel
• cudgel
• pelt
• box
• club
• bludgeon
• knout
• hammer
• rough
• paddle
• thwack
• clobber
• bop
• touch up
• bash
• mangle
• slug
• crack
• belt
• thresh
• sock
• cuff
• clout
• paste
• lather
• blackjack
• lambaste
• pommel
• batter
• slate
• bust
• work over
• lam
• whup
• bung
• drub
• slog
• whop
• fustigate
• belabor
• wallop
• baste
• fib
• buffet
• tromp
• pistol-whip
• lace

flail

2 of 2

noun

as in bludgeon

Related Words

• bludgeon
• cane
• cudgel
• baton
• nightstick
• bat
• billy
• bastinado
• staff
• billy club
• strap
• knout
• hickory
• rattan
• quirt
• bullwhip
• crop
• birch
• whip
• club
• blacksnake
• rawhide
• cowhide
• flogger
• lash
• cat-o'-nine-tails
• switch
• scourge

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flail

Verb

Flushed and flailing during Schauf’s final countdown, her gum-chewing getting a little more exaggerated with each second, Cooper quipped that her handiwork might be better sealed under a closed casket. — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

As if on command, the lefty struck out Carter Jensen on three fastballs and then sent Lane Thomas flailing at a changeup for another punchout. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 July 2026

The theme of a flailing small town hits home for the set of Ransom Canyon as well. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 23 July 2026

The man hugged a bag, the woman shouted and flailed her arms, and the young teenage boy pulled at his sister, who seemed stupefied. — Literary Hub, 21 July 2026