flail
noun
an instrument for threshing grain, consisting of a staff or handle with a freely swinging stick or bar attached to one end of it.
flailed
-
past participleof flail.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof flail.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
flailnounan instrument for threshing grain, consisting of a staff or handle with a freely swinging stick or bar attached to one end of it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He and Gail gave up their salaries and lived off credit cards while Dave flailed, trying to keep their creditors at bay.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 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
But throughout the 2025 Emmys telecast, the nice guy comic flailed in the deep end of a flop sweat pool.
From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2025
I flailed my arms, willing them to seize something that wasn’t plunging downward.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
