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Semantic Crisis Intervention
Some people are bothered by changes in a word’s meaning (see: literally), while others have a more relaxed attitude towards semantic drift. For those who feel vexed when a word seems to have suddenly changed its spots, it may be of some comfort to know that words in English do this all the time; crisis is a fine example. Originally, crisis denoted “the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever.” Now it most commonly means “a difficult or dangerous situation that needs serious attention,” yet few people insist that it should be used exclusively in its older meaning. The normality of semantic change can be seen in another word that first appeared in febrile contexts: hectic, which now is primarily used to mean “very busy,” originally referred to a fever that was fluctuating but recurrent.
Examples of hectic in a Sentence
Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
Make your office feel less hectic and spur your creativity with calming white walls, and your primary bedroom will become a place of total relaxation with the airy shade.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025
Unlike the hectic summer months, winter encourages lingering over a warm cup of coffee at a seaside café or savoring a quiet dinner with an ocean view.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
Add to Your Self-Care Plan Despite all the fun of the season, the holidays can be hectic and overwhelming—plus the cold, dark days can damper mood.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hectic
Cite this Entry
“Hectic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hectic. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
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hectic
adjective
Medical Definition
hectic
adjective
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