frantic

adjective

fran·​tic ˈfran-tik 

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

ˈfran-tik-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• agitated
• distraught
• hysteric
• 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

Cornerback Christian Gray flung his body at a frantic Lemon, forcing a fumble that Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa recovered. —Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025

This was frantic from the outset. —Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

The two superstars continued to trade moves with one another in a frantic finish. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

So the frantic pace of decision-making today risks locking in emissions tomorrow; some of Melka’s data center clients are happy to run on gas or even diesel generators and save their sustainability goals for some other time. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025

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