frantic

adjective

fran·​tic ˈfran-tik How to pronounce frantic (audio)
1
: emotionally out of control
2
: marked by fast and nervous, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity
made a frantic search for the lost child
frantic cries for help
3
archaic : mentally unsound
franticness noun

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.
Hearing this, a frantic and audibly panicked Cindy Anthony placed the now infamous call to the police. Aja Romano, Vox, 4 Mar. 2025 Those pieces included: Twenty-two people shot, including one killed, at Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl rally How Andy Reid comforted frantic teen at Chiefs parade shooting. Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2025 Last year was a stellar one for movies, but the Oscars banquet table can seat only so many contenders — bagging a nomination becomes a frantic game of musical chairs. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025 This is not entirely my fault—I was raised with E.R. reruns as background noise thanks to my mom, a fellow med-TV devotee—but by age 11, I was fully bought into the froth, fun, and occasionally frantic energy that accompanied our culture’s collective obsession with Grey’s Anatomy. Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frantic. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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 adverb
franticly
-i-klē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on frantic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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