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

No tangled cords, no frantic outlet hunting at the airport — just an effortless, on-the-go charge for all your gadgets. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025

The film gives the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) a send-off complete with his balloon beginning to lift off as a frantic Dorothy races toward it. —People Staff, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025

Two minutes later, the scene becomes frantic, according to a video circulating on social media which Strick first geolocated. —Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025

Police said Talia was working a special assignment detail at the store when he was alerted to the medical emergency and rushed to a frantic Simon and her baby. —Christina Hall, Freep.com, 21 Nov. 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