flail

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.

With the USA bats continuing to flail against Rodriguez, the Venezuelans doubled their lead in the top of the fifth inning.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Such small fry could easily flail or fail.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

He opened the unlocked door of a police vehicle, climbed into the back and began to flail in distress.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

"When other fish get caught in those nets they sort of flail and it sends out a vibration underwater, sort of like ringing the dinner bell," says Prof Pepin-Neff.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025

Next the beast knocked over a jar of apple butter, but the skin lid was tied on tightly, and, flail away at it as he might with his awkward paw, he could not dislodge it.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson