frantic

adjective

fran·tic | \ ˈfran-tik

Definition of frantic

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 deranged

Other Words from frantic Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About frantic

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 In the background of those frantic calls was an odd thumping boom like the bass of a rap song turned up too high. — Jenny Deam, ProPublica, 31 May 2022 At Fernando’s weird party in London, Van started getting her kicks shoving waitstaff and other guests into the pool, then slipped out altogether and began ignoring Earn’s increasingly frantic calls and texts. — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2022 Republican groups had put out frantic calls to bring them to the then-TCF Center as Joe Biden pulled ahead of former President Donald Trump's early lead in the unofficial election night results. — Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 16 May 2022 Ukrainian soldiers made frantic phone calls telling residents to hide. — Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2022 Ukrainian soldiers made frantic phone calls telling residents to hide. — Anchorage Daily News, 16 Apr. 2022 More officers stood watch outside, as frantic and frustrated parents pleaded with them to go inside. — Mitchell Willetts, Anchorage Daily News, 3 June 2022 Boon’s Johnny Rotten is a frantic-in-the-best-way turn, glowing with contempt for his audience and for music itself. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 31 May 2022 But the calls kept coming and Kumari's pleas grew more frantic and accusatory, Jha recalls. — Pallabi Munsi, CNN, 31 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frantic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.