1
as in flapped
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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2
as in whipped
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
gruesome evidence that the prisoner had been flailed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flailed
Kickboxing robots flailed wildly before falling over, and some sprinters crashed into rivals.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2025
On Sunday, Merrill flailed at two sliders in the dirt from Tyler Glasnow before looking at a third down the middle for strike three to strand a runner in the first inning.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2025
On Sunday, Merrill flailed at two sliders in the dirt from Tyler Glasnow before looking at a third down the middle for strike three to strand a runner in the first inning.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flailed
Verb
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Moytoy flapped his lips fast like an engine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Aug. 2025
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Cunha, sitting on the turf, flapped his arms when Mbeumo failed to follow in for a tap-in.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Harrison's head whipped back and slammed into the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
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One popular use is a classic Cream Cheese Frosting, which needs to be whipped to perfection.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Union Jack bunting fluttered overhead.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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Concertgoers fluttered around the building, staying away from the barricaded stairs leading up to the upstairs balcony, which is inaccessible.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In July, the company estimated a $500 million hit related to tariff costs and slashed its guidance.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
21 Oct. 2025
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Skull's throat was slashed three times from ear to ear.—
Keith Sharon,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a post-draft interview on the Bills’ flagship radio station WGR 550-AM, Beane lashed out at the hosts for criticizing his lack of attention to wide receiver throughout the offseason.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Andy lashed the feet tightly and then grabbed the loose end of the rope.—
Bob Cary,
Outdoor Life,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Djokovic raced onto it, flicked the ball down the line, and still won the point, rousing himself and the crowd with a finger to the ear.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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Sporting’s best chance of the night came toward the end of the first half, when Dejan Joveljic flicked a pass from Nemanja Radoja into the path of Mason Toye, who had a one-on-one chance.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The side led by Ronald Koeman had finished third in La Liga after being thrashed by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Mamdani, a democratic socialist and registered Democrat, thrashed the party establishment in New York City’s mayoral primary with his verve and his fierce commitment to making housing cheaper and childcare free.—
Harpers Magazine,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Honda has slapped a £10,599 MSRP (US$14,180) for the CB1000F in the UK market.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Oct. 2025
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Branch slapped the helmeted head of Kansas City wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after Detroit’s 30-17 loss at Arrowhead Stadium.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flailed. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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