frenzy

1 of 2

noun

fren·​zy ˈfren-zē 

plural frenzies

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

Noun

• agitation
• deliriousness
• delirium
• distraction
• fever
• feverishness
• flap
• furor
• furore
• fury
• hysteria
• rage
• rampage
• uproar

Verb

• crack
• craze
• derange
• loco
• madden
• unbalance
• unhinge
• unstring

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

Noun

This location signals a step change for the initiative, showcasing how a creative approach to retail can resonate even in the midst of the festive shopping frenzy. —Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

The recipe for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes a pinch of frenzy, a dash of angst and a sprinkle of panic. —Barry Gordemer, NPR, 25 Nov. 2024

Verb

In season six, these controversies extended to the way the show depicted Mohamed Al-Fayed, all but accusing him of setting up the paparazzi frenzy that led to the deaths of Diana and his son, Dodi. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 June 2024

During the media frenzy the then-21-year-old held a press conference, delivering a heartfelt resignation speech. —Janine Rubenstein, Peoplemag, 27 July 2024

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

Phrases Containing frenzy

• feeding frenzy

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 

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 

adjective