frantic

adjective

fran·​tic ˈfran-tik How to pronounce frantic (audio)
1
: emotionally out of control
2
: marked by fast and nervous, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity
made a frantic search for the lost child
frantic cries for help
3
archaic : mentally unsound
franticness noun

Examples of frantic in a Sentence

The girl was frantic with fear. They made a frantic search for the missing child. They were making frantic preparations for the party. a frantic attempt to finish on schedule
Recent Examples on the Web The two lawmakers bonded over their dismay at the frantic spectacle now unfolding, as about a dozen other ambitious Republicans competed to replace McCarthy, further dividing the Party. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 Significantly outnumbered by the number of Chinese vessels, the four ships in the Philippine convoy on a resupply mission to troops were quickly surrounded and separated during a frantic high seas skirmish on Tuesday morning. Rebecca Wright, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 The game is all about strategy, as the height of your character relative to the others determines who survives a collision, leading to much frantic button-mashing to flap your ostrich's magnificent wings. Aaron Morales, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2024 The series largely explores Dior’s post-World War II journey, both personal and professional, from his frantic efforts to locate his sister Catherine (played by Maisie Williams) and secure her return from the Ravensbrück concentration camp to his desire to open an eponymous house. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024 There was also the birth of their son, Justice, who for frantic moments was stuck inside the womb during delivery. Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2024 The frantic score and loopy camerawork are often dizzying. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2024 The Israel Defense Forces released black-and-white drone footage showing hundreds of Palestinians rushing toward the slow-moving relief convoy; videos on social media showed a frantic scramble in the pre-dawn darkness along al-Rashid Street, in the southwest part of Gaza City. Hajar Harb, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 Faces stared back at him: this strange, frantic young man, shouting at them. Rozina Ali, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frantic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English frenetik, frentik, frantike "temporarily deranged, delirious" — more at frenetic

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of frantic was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near frantic

Cite this Entry

“Frantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frantic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

frantic

adjective
fran·​tic ˈfrant-ik How to pronounce frantic (audio)
1
: wildly excited
frantic cries for help
was frantic with fear
2
: marked by wild and hurried activity
a frantic search for the missing child
frantically adverb
franticly
-i-klē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on frantic

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