frantic

adjective

fran·​tic ˈfran-tik 

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 

noun

Synonyms of frantic

• agitated
• distraught
• worried
• frightened

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

But when the music stops, investors will scramble for assets in a frantic game of musical chairs. —Mikael Johnsson, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026

During the frantic final minutes of the game, Lemont counted on Mikroulis for senior leadership. —Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026

This is the story of Palace’s frantic transfer window. —Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

After every bomb that hits the nearby power plant, Bakhmatov follows a frantic routine. —Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for frantic

• antic
• atlantic
• gigantic
• pedantic
• romantic
• semantic
• vedantic
• transatlantic
• unromantic

Kids 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

frantically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

franticly

-i-klē

adverb