rabid

adjective

ra·​bid ˈra-bəd How to pronounce rabid (audio)
also
ˈrā- How to pronounce rabid (audio)
1
a
: extremely violent : furious
b
: going to extreme lengths in expressing or pursuing a feeling, interest, or opinion
rabid editorials
a rabid supporter
2
: affected with rabies
rabidity noun
rabidly
ˈra-bəd-lē How to pronounce rabid (audio)
 also  ˈrā-
adverb
rabidness noun

Examples of rabid in a Sentence

a politician with rabid supporters Her husband is a rabid baseball fan.
Recent Examples on the Web According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, 33 domestic animals were exposed to rabid animals in 2023. Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 7 Feb. 2024 The shows are a dumpster fire of rivalries and resentments with a rabid fan base. Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2024 The sudden turnaround of the past two years created rabid optimism from fans who hoped that DeBoer would be the next version of Don James, who regularly would have Washington in the national conversation. Tim Booth, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024 Can a sweater or a dress declare that America—or at least Americana—can be kind of great, without risking association with the rabid MAGA hordes? Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024 But a confluence of factors—and the public’s rabid preoccupation with celebrity gossip—have converged to make some people online think that something is very amiss. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 29 Feb. 2024 Bryant’s ceremony happened a day before Kanye Omari West was to set to play his new album, Vultures, to a rabid crowd at the UBS Arena in Belmont, New York. Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2024 Shohei Ohtani is a two-way player, a two-time American League MVP and a superstar with a rabid fan base. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024 Carroll County Health Department officials are warning Taneytown residents about possible exposure to a rabid fox found dead Friday in the area. Molly Fellin Spence, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2024

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

Latin rabidus mad, from rabere

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rabid was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near rabid

Cite this Entry

“Rabid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rabid. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rabid

adjective
ra·​bid ˈrab-əd How to pronounce rabid (audio)
 also  ˈrā-bəd
1
: extremely violent : furious
2
: going to extreme lengths (as in interest or opinion)
rabid supporters
3
: affected with rabies
a rabid dog
rabidly adverb

Medical Definition

rabid

adjective
ra·​bid
ˈrab-əd also ˈrā-bəd
: affected with rabies
a rabid dog

More from Merriam-Webster on rabid

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