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

And those are just two of the more than 2,500 rabid fans who have converged at the Burbank Marriott on this hazy weekend in March for The Hollywood Show, a two-day gathering of aging TV and (some) film celebrities held thrice a year. —Michael Callahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024

The last line of cups quickly ended up on Ebay, with rabid fans paying between $150 to over $400 per cup. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024

However, rabid dog bites are the leading cause of human deaths from the virus, according to the center. —Makiya Seminera, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024

In this provocative, self-referential spectacle that polarized a nation (okay, some particularly rabid fans), Itchy & Scratchy's falling ratings prompt the network suits to introduce a painfully over-hip canine. —EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, 33 domestic animals were exposed to rabid animals in 2023. —Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 7 Feb. 2024

The shows are a dumpster fire of rivalries and resentments with a rabid fan base. —Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2024

The sudden turnaround of the past two years created rabid optimism from fans who hoped that DeBoer would be the next version of Don James, who regularly would have Washington in the national conversation. —Tim Booth, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024

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

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