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Flailing - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Flailing means waving or thrashing arms or limbs wildly, often due to panic, excitement, or lack of control. It can also describe ineffective or desperate efforts to achieve something.

flailing

/ˈfleɪlɪŋ/ /ˈfleɪlɪŋ/

Definition:

Waving or swinging wildly, often uncontrollably or in distress.

Synonyms:

thrashing, floundering, waving, swinging

Part of Speech:

verb, adjective

Antonyms:

controlled, steady

Common Collocations:

flailing arms, flailing limbs, flailing wildly

Derivatives:

flail, flailed

Usage Tips:

Use "flailing" to describe uncontrolled movements, often due to panic or lack of coordination.

Common Phrases:

flailing about, flailing wildly, flailing in the water

Etymology:

From Old English "flegil," meaning a threshing tool; later extended to describe erratic motion.

Examples:

  • 1. She was flailing her arms to get attention.
  • 2. The injured bird lay on the ground, flailing weakly.
  • 3. He kept flailing in the pool until someone rescued him.
  • 4. The toddler was flailing excitedly during playtime.

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