as in fluttering
to move or cause to move with a striking motion
the stirring sight of a huge flock of geese flapping their wings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in waving
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flapping
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
When the wing flapping became incessant, the DNR team knew the eagles were just about ready.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
The exposure was also linked to particular symptoms of autism, including social withdrawal, hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping and body rocking.
—Sharon Lerner, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
The exposure was also linked to particular symptoms of autism, including social withdrawal, hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping and body rocking.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2025
Humans long thought that flight would involve some flapping because everything that flies flaps, right?
—Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 24 June 2025
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Well, the 23-year-old Belgian was among Europe’s best shot-stopping goalkeepers last season, is quick off his line and appears to be pretty composed, which would be ideal around his two flapping new goalkeeper team mates.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Flimsy, flapping fabric simply doesn't offer the same kind of barrier as solid metal or fiberglass.
—New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2025
Yet little was said afterward, which keeps that red flag flapping the Rams’ season is under watch.
—Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Its name, Albatross, pays tribute to the massive seabird known for its ability to travel thousands of miles across the open ocean without much wing-flapping.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
When the wing flapping became incessant, the DNR team knew the eagles were just about ready.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
The exposure was also linked to particular symptoms of autism, including social withdrawal, hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping and body rocking.
—Sharon Lerner, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
The exposure was also linked to particular symptoms of autism, including social withdrawal, hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping and body rocking.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2025
Humans long thought that flight would involve some flapping because everything that flies flaps, right?
—Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 24 June 2025
Noun
Birds can soar through the sky for long periods without flapping their wings.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Well, the 23-year-old Belgian was among Europe’s best shot-stopping goalkeepers last season, is quick off his line and appears to be pretty composed, which would be ideal around his two flapping new goalkeeper team mates.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Flimsy, flapping fabric simply doesn't offer the same kind of barrier as solid metal or fiberglass.
—New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2025
Yet little was said afterward, which keeps that red flag flapping the Rams’ season is under watch.
—Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flapping
Verb
-
Where at one time soldiers and sailors made do with fluttering flags or flashes of light to send simple messages, the modern warfighter is part of a global digital network where data rushes about like water out of a firehose and satellites act as a vital link in that network.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Sep. 2025
-
From November to March, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve transforms into a vibrant, fluttering kingdom.—
Gaby Keiderling,
Robb Report,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The last one, right below the zone, had Crow-Armstrong flailing to end the frame.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Patients first experience twitching or weakness in a limb, often followed by slurred speech.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flapping. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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