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.
Ajon Singh, who wrote the screenplay, spent a frantic week retooling it to persuade him to change his mind. — Alex Barasch, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026 Less than half a mile away, business owner Sierra Jordan told CNN the familiar sound of children laughing and playing outside at recess gave way to the frantic arrival of ambulances. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 Everything was starting to come up roses for the defending national champions during a frantic fourth quarter, which also saw Jeremiah Smith give the Buckeyes the eventual game-winning touchdown. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Keeping The Faith So all’s well that ends well, and frantic, for Halfway 2 Jesus, Rock’s 13th album and the follow-up to 2022’s angry, politically charged Bad Reputation. — Gary Graff, Billboard, 15 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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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