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
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
Marissa’s frantic initial attempts to find him and figure out what happened create a suspenseful, frightening opening.
—
Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
As the family's frantic search begins, the media is quick to point the finger at Marissa and her friend, Jenny Kaminski (Fanning), whose nanny, Carrie Finch (Sophia Lillis), becomes the prime suspect.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
The contents show the frantic communication from men in the field back to Goudreau, confirming the chaotic events described by Cacique.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
But when the Chiefs were converting fourth-and-17 in a fourth quarter that became uncomfortably frantic for the Bills, Kansas City's playoff dominance (4-0 in the Mahomes era) came to mind.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frantic
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Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
As the family's frantic search begins, the media is quick to point the finger at Marissa and her friend, Jenny Kaminski (Fanning), whose nanny, Carrie Finch (Sophia Lillis), becomes the prime suspect.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
The contents show the frantic communication from men in the field back to Goudreau, confirming the chaotic events described by Cacique.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
But when the Chiefs were converting fourth-and-17 in a fourth quarter that became uncomfortably frantic for the Bills, Kansas City's playoff dominance (4-0 in the Mahomes era) came to mind.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frantic
Cite this Entry
“Frantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frantic. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
frantic
adjective
fran·tic
ˈfrant-ik 
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
franticly
adverb
-i-klē
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