flailing

About 0.40 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb present participle and gerund of flail
2. noun A flailing action or motion.

   The drowning man's flailings soon attracted the lifeguard's attention.

3. adjective Having a lack of coordination, control, or successful outcome.

   A flailing economy has left the country exposed to hyperinflation.

Similar words

thrashing moving flinging fling flaring flaying slash writhing plunging slashing

Often followed by

arms his about at in the and around away

Word family

flailingly