1. moved or swung wildly or uncontrollably
Usage: past tense of flail
2. beat or struck with or as if with a flail
Usage: past tense of flail; often refers to threshing grain

Examples

• She flailed her arms trying to keep her balance on the ice.
• The swimmer flailed desperately in the rough water.
• He flailed about in the dark room looking for the light switch.
• The child flailed his legs when picked up by the stranger.
• The farmer flailed the wheat to separate the grain from the stalks.
• Her arms flailed wildly as she fell backward off the chair.