rabid

adjective

ra·​bid ˈra-bəd How to pronounce rabid (audio)
also
ˈrā- How to pronounce rabid (audio)
1
a
: extremely violent : furious
b
: going to extreme lengths in expressing or pursuing a feeling, interest, or opinion
rabid editorials
a rabid supporter
2
: affected with rabies
rabidity noun
rabidly
ˈra-bəd-lē How to pronounce rabid (audio)
 also  ˈrā-
adverb
rabidness noun

Examples of rabid in a Sentence

a politician with rabid supporters Her husband is a rabid baseball fan.
Recent Examples on the Web Can a sweater or a dress declare that America—or at least Americana—can be kind of great, without risking association with the rabid MAGA hordes? Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024 But a confluence of factors—and the public’s rabid preoccupation with celebrity gossip—have converged to make some people online think that something is very amiss. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 29 Feb. 2024 Bryant’s ceremony happened a day before Kanye Omari West was to set to play his new album, Vultures, to a rabid crowd at the UBS Arena in Belmont, New York. Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2024 Shohei Ohtani is a two-way player, a two-time American League MVP and a superstar with a rabid fan base. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024 Carroll County Health Department officials are warning Taneytown residents about possible exposure to a rabid fox found dead Friday in the area. Molly Fellin Spence, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2024 The strategy worked: Stanley’s 40-ounce Quencher cup gained rabid popularity for its candy-like array of colors and its ability to keep beverages hot and cold for long periods of time. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2024 He's got one of the NFL's most rabid fan bases frothing and truly believing that this might be the season that the Browns, one of four franchises never to reach the Super Bowl, finally end their drought. Tom Withers, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2024 The Arizona Game and Fish Department urges anyone who may come into contact with a rabid animal to keep their distance and contact the department’s local office. Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rabid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin rabidus mad, from rabere

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rabid was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near rabid

Cite this Entry

“Rabid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rabid. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rabid

adjective
ra·​bid ˈrab-əd How to pronounce rabid (audio)
 also  ˈrā-bəd
1
: extremely violent : furious
2
: going to extreme lengths (as in interest or opinion)
rabid supporters
3
: affected with rabies
a rabid dog
rabidly adverb

Medical Definition

rabid

adjective
ra·​bid
ˈrab-əd also ˈrā-bəd
: affected with rabies
a rabid dog

More from Merriam-Webster on rabid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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