flailing
adjectiveUK /ˈfleɪlɪŋ/
US /ˈfleɪlɪŋ/
Moving your arms and legs around in a wild, clumsy way.
The swimmer was flailing in the water until she found her balance.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Struggling badly and without success.
The company is flailing after losing its biggest client.
3. Swinging something around loosely, like a tool or a rope.
He ran down the hill, flailing a stick above his head.
4. Being unsteady or out of control in movement.
The kite went flailing across the sky in the strong wind.