pinballing
Careening between obstacles
Pinballing describes rapid, erratic movement from one thing to another, like a ball bouncing off bumpers in a pinball machine.
The word usually suggests lack of control or direction: My thoughts were pinballing between work stress and weekend plans.
It can describe physical movement through crowded spaces or mental jumping between topics, tasks, or emotions.
Springing back repeatedly
- careeningTilting or swaying recklessly
- reboundingBouncing back after collision
- deflectingTurning from original path
- caromingBouncing off surfaces
zigzagging · veering · glancing · skipping · pinging · rattling · banking · angling
Cannot be anticipated
- chaoticTotally without arrangement
- randomOccurring without pattern
- freneticWildly agitated, fast
- hecticIntensely busy, almost overwhelming
wild · scattered · haphazard · directionless · aimless · uncontrolled · frantic · disjointed
bouncing
Springing back repeatedly
- careeningTilting or swaying recklessly
- reboundingBouncing back after collision
- deflectingTurning from original path
caroming · zigzagging · veering · glancing · skipping · pinging · rattling · banking · angling · scattering
unpredictable
Cannot be anticipated
hectic · wild · scattered · haphazard · directionless · aimless · uncontrolled · frantic · disjointed · lurching
flippers
Foot-worn swim aids
- bumpersVehicle collision cushions
- multiballMultiple projectiles simultaneously active
- plungerSuction device for clogs
tilt · playfield · cabinet · ramp · jackpot · replay · highscore · arcade · quarters · coin-op
hyperactive
Excessively energetic, easily distracted
frenetic · animated · kinetic · dynamic · hyper · wired · bouncy · tireless · nonstop
pinballingstaying put
Remaining in place
settling · resting · anchoring · stabilizing · pausing
pin, ball, pinnacle, pinned, pinball, pinballs, pinballed, pinner, pinball machine