frenzy

1 of 2

noun

fren·​zy ˈfren-zē How to pronounce frenzy (audio)
plural frenzies
Synonyms of frenzy
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 frenzy …—C. Carr

frenzy

2 of 2

verb

frenzied; frenzying

transitive verb

: to affect with frenzy

Synonyms of frenzy

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Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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Noun
The report’s authors also said consumers need to reconsider the Black Friday handbag frenzy. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 Eight years into this gambling frenzy, virtually every major sports league in America has one, if not multiple, partnerships with sports books. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 Cailee Spaeny in Valentino Social media kicked into a frenzy when Cailee Spaeny arrived in this Valentino gown, from the Spring 2027 collection that Alessandro Michele sent down the runway on October 4. — Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026 Alex McPherson’s 34-yard field goal on the final play sent the visiting sideline into a frenzy. — Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frenzy

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

Phrases Containing frenzy

Browse Nearby Words

frenzied
frenzy
Freon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frenzy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frenzy. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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
-zēd How to pronounce frenzy (audio)
adjective
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