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adjective

flailing

FLAY-lihng

Flailing (adjective) means moving in an uncontrolled, uncoordinated way, or struggling without success. Example: “The flailing business finally shut its doors after years of losses.”

adjective
1
Moving in an uncontrolled, uncoordinated way, or struggling without success.
"The flailing business finally shut its doors after years of losses."
"She caught his flailing arm before he fell."

How to use flailing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThrashing about with no control — used literally for limbs, and figuratively for a struggling project or effort.

Common pairings
flailing arms a flailing campaign flailing about

Word forms

more flailing comparative, flailings plural, most flailing superlative

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The _____ business finally shut its doors after years of losses.

Rhymes for flailing

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Frequently asked questions

What does “flailing” mean?

The word “flailing” means moving in an uncontrolled, uncoordinated way, or struggling without success. In plain terms, thrashing about with no control — used literally for limbs, and figuratively for a struggling project or effort.

How do you pronounce “flailing”?

“Flailing” is pronounced FLAY-lihng (/ˈfleɪlɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “flailing” in a sentence?

Here is “flailing” used in a sentence: “The flailing business finally shut its doors after years of losses.”

What part of speech is “flailing”?

“Flailing” is an adjective.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial