frantic

adjective

fran·​tic ˈfran-tik How to pronounce frantic (audio)
Synonyms of frantic
1
: emotionally out of control
especially : feeling or showing fear or anxiety
was frantic while waiting for news
frantic cries for help
a frantic search for the lost child
2
: marked by fast and nervous, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity
making frantic party preparations
3
archaic : mentally unsound
franticness
ˈfran-tik-nəs How to pronounce frantic (audio)
noun

Synonyms of frantic

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Another video, also released by the Police Department on Friday, captured the frantic moments leading up to the shooting death of 33-year-old Alejandro Garcia. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 In the past two days, many stories have emerged from frantic family members. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 His frantic paranoia makes the scene genuinely hard to read and sets the stage for his horrifying actions during the climax. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 As the fiscal reality of these mandates settles in communities across the state, the scramble of local governments to avoid cutting both core and beloved school programs like Outdoor School will become even more frantic. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frantic

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

Rhymes for frantic

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Browse Nearby Words

franseria
frantic
frantically
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Cite this Entry

“Frantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frantic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce frantic (audio)
adverb
franticly
-i-klē
adverb
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