frenzy

1 of 2

noun

fren·​zy ˈfren-zē How to pronounce frenzy (audio)
plural frenzies
1
a
: a temporary madness
in a rage amounting to a frenzy
b
: a violent mental or emotional agitation
… almost weeping in a frenzy of anxiety …Colleen McCullough
2
: intense usually wild and often disorderly compulsive or agitated activity
a shopping frenzy
… the mob chanted itself into a frenzyC. Carr

frenzy

2 of 2

verb

frenzied; frenzying

transitive verb

: to affect with frenzy

Examples of frenzy in a Sentence

Noun the buying frenzy just before Christmas in its frenzy to flee the danger, the crowd became uncontrollable, and a number of people were trampled to death Verb local football fans who were frenzied by the fact that their team was going to the Super Bowl
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But regardless of the reason that men are getting the procedure, the March frenzy hasn't been without plenty of benefits, said Dr. Nahid Punjani, a men's health and infertility specialist in the urology department at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024 Negotiators have mostly agreed on measures to fund the rest of the federal government but are stuck on the Homeland Security provisions — which might be difficult to pass on their own because of the political frenzy around immigration. Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 In some ways, this whole frenzy—this investigation of Middleton’s body—stems from a belief that her physical figure is something that the public owns, or at least deserves to see constantly. Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024 But the eyewear that had everyone talking was likely the Apple Vision Pros that replaced last season’s ski-goggle frenzy. Irene Kim, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 Nvidia is still up more than 70% this year after more than tripling last year amid a frenzy on Wall Street around artificial-intelligence technology. Elaine Kurtenbach, Quartz, 11 Mar. 2024 Developments around the 2005 disappearance of high school teen Natalee Holloway, which led to a media frenzy captivating families across the globe, remained stagnant for more than a decade. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024 The color name quickly ignited a social-media frenzy, while pre- and post-show coverage likewise covered what turned out to be among the night’s most high-profile style moments. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 At the time, Mercury’s belongings ignited a bidding frenzy, so prospective buyers might want to move quickly. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2024
Verb
Today, the media frenzy about who can be the next president or minister misses the point. Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024 As the crowd was clearing out afterward, the jubilation quickly turned to frenzy. Glenn E. Rice, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2024 Advertisement The outcry over the Angels’ waiver frenzy last week was ridiculous. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023 Wall Street Journal Five Guys frenzy There are grand openings, and then there's the launch of Five Guys in South Korea. Alan Murray, Fortune, 30 June 2023 Long before the globetrotting tours, the tabloid headlines, the Beatlesque frenzy that’s driving desperate parents to spend $12,000 for concert tickets, Taylor Swift got a crucial career break in a Livonia parking lot. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 8 June 2023 The 10-piece band's high energy, coupled with the soulful vocals and electric performance of its frontman, known as Black Wolf, frenzied the audience, keeping them on their feet and wanting more. La Risa R. Lynch, Journal Sentinel, 1 June 2023 This has been a frenzied 72 hours for the Indianapolis Colts, a franchise that doesn’t do frenzy. The Indianapolis Star, 12 Jan. 2023 Allow us to breakdown why these tumblers, of all the Starbucks tumblers, seem to frenzy customers the most: First, each tumbler comes in one color but turns into another when exposed to cold liquids. Michelle Santiago Cortés, refinery29.com, 27 May 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frenzy.' 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

Noun

Middle English frenesie, franesie, frensy, fransy "insanity, delirium, fit of madness," borrowed from Anglo-French frenesie, frensye, borrowed from Medieval Latin phrenēsia, re-formation of Late Latin phrenēsis "inflammation of the brain, madness," derivative (by analogy with other Greek nouns in -ēsis with corresponding adjectives in -ētikos) of Latin phrenēticus "suffering from madness" — more at frenetic

Verb

derivative of frenzy entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1791, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near frenzy

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

frenzy

noun
fren·​zy
ˈfren-zē
plural frenzies
: great and often wild or disorderly activity

Medical Definition

frenzy

noun
fren·​zy ˈfren-zē How to pronounce frenzy (audio)
plural frenzies
1
a
: a temporary madness
b
: a violent mental or emotional agitation
2
: intense usually wild and often disorderly compulsive or agitated activity
frenzied adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on frenzy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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