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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The comebacks have been rabid and theatrical. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 That’s in character for rabid Philly fans, who once tossed snowballs at Santa Claus during a long-ago Eagles game. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025 As a result, a lot of interest from her rabid fan base has trickled into the NFL stratosphere, which is something that Jones has noticed. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025 Apple Music anchor Ebro Darden takes the stage, DJ D-Nice drops down the volume and Carey and SZA take the stage to roars from the rabid fans in the audience, who have been waiting outside all afternoon. Jem Aswad, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rabid

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rabid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rabid. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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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