frantic

adjective fran·tic \ ˈfran-tik \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Examples: frantic in a Sentence

Definition of frantic

1 a archaic : mentally deranged

b : 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

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frantically

play \ˈfran-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

—

franticness

play \ˈfran-tik-nəs\ noun

See frantic defined for English-language learners

See frantic defined for kids

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 of frantic from the Web

The letters set off a frantic search for other cooperatives to step in and help local farmers.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky dairy farmers face devastation as milk market runs dry," 23 May 2018
The case has dominated headlines in the country after a frantic search was launched for the 24-year-old over the weekend.

— lauren said-moorhouse, CNN, "Body found in search for missing Filipino student Jastine Valdez," 21 May 2018
Atlanta United scored first and Orlando City went frantic, which opened things up for goal No. 2.

— jordan culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City’s loss to Atlanta United proves there are things to work on," 14 May 2018
As the frantic search for Reinking continued, law enforcement and local leaders were, again, confronted with questions about gun control and people's right to own guns.

— the washington post, AL.com, "Travis Reinking, Nashville Waffle House shooting suspect, still at large," 23 Apr. 2018
More than 100 firefighters joined sanitation workers in a frantic search.

— CBS News, "Teen who fell into Los Angeles sewer system thanks rescue crews," 7 Apr. 2018
The boy, who was rescued early Monday morning after a frantic overnight search, told the station the tunnels were dark and quiet.

— alene tchekmedyian, latimes.com, "Boy speaks out after sewer pipe rescue: 'I was just praying to God to help me and to not die'," 3 Apr. 2018
The other children immediately notified adults, who called 911, initiating a frantic and exhaustive 12-hour search of labyrinthine underground pipes using cameras propped on flotation devices.

— amanda lee myers, chicagotribune.com, "Rescuers find teen 12 hours after he was washed away in a 'maze' of drainage pipes in California," 2 Apr. 2018
Officials combed nearby forests in a frantic search for the baby.

— Fox News, "'Baby snatcher' monkey hunted in India," 2 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of frantic

Middle English frenetik, frantik — more at frenetic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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frantic Synonyms

FRANTIC Defined for English Language Learners

frantic

adjective

Definition of frantic for English Language Learners

: feeling or showing a lot of fear and worry
: having a lot of wild and hurried activity

FRANTIC Defined for Kids

frantic

adjective fran·tic \ ˈfran-tik \

Definition of frantic for Students

1 : feeling or showing fear and worry

a frantic search

2 : having wild and hurried activity

They made a frantic attempt to finish.

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frantically

\-ti-kə-lē\ adverb

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See words that rhyme with frantic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for frantic Spanish Central: Translation of frantic Nglish: Translation of frantic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of frantic for Arabic speakers

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frantic

Definition of frantic

frantically

franticness

Examples of frantic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of frantic from the Web

Origin and Etymology of frantic

frantic Synonyms

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FRANTIC Defined for English Language Learners

frantic

Definition of frantic for English Language Learners

FRANTIC Defined for Kids

frantic

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frantically

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