rabid

adjective

ra·​bid ˈra-bəd 

also

ˈrā- 

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

rə-ˈbi-də-tē 

ra-

rā-

noun

rabidly

ˈra-bəd-lē 

 also  ˈrā-

adverb

rabidness noun

Synonyms

• extreme
• extremist
• fanatic
• fanatical
• radical
• revolutionary
• revolutionist
• ultra

Examples of rabid in a Sentence

a politician with rabid supporters

Her husband is a rabid baseball fan.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her audience is rabid — this writer among them — for her one-of-a-kind blend of Great American Songbook musical styles and twentysomething-relevant lyrics. —Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025

For all that, Graves can thank his limited menu, which helps keep costs down, and the chain’s rabid fanbase. —Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

The climactic scene in that film took place when Wallace’s mother and her son face the difficult decision of battling heatstroke in a car that won’t start or confronting the big, rabid dog waiting for them outside the small vehicle. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025

King’s 1981 book about a mother and son who get trapped in their car while protecting themselves from a rabid dog was first adapted for the screen in the 1983. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin rabidus mad, from rabere

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

rabid

adjective

ra·​bid ˈrab-əd 

 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