frantic

adjective

ˈfran-tik How to pronounce frantic (audio)
Definition of franticnext
1
as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry the frantic parents were searching all over the fairgrounds for their lost child

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in furious
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity the holiday season seems to be moving along at a frantic pace

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of frantic His frantic paranoia makes the scene genuinely hard to read and sets the stage for his horrifying actions during the climax. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 As the fiscal reality of these mandates settles in communities across the state, the scramble of local governments to avoid cutting both core and beloved school programs like Outdoor School will become even more frantic. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2026 Charo urged the government to ensure that hospitals are well-equipped to handle complications during childbirth, and to not leave frantic families waiting for information. — ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026 Boyle succeeds in making a thrilling, propulsive movie using his signature kinetic filmmaking style of quick cuts, unconventional camera angles, and a frantic pace. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frantic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frantic
  1. agitated
  2. furious
  3. distraught
  4. mad
  5. worried
  6. fierce
  7. frightened
  8. intense
Adjective
  • Reddington looked visibly agitated while in the courtroom, both during sidebar — at which Clancy was present — and during Sullivan’s instructions.
    — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Officers described the videos recorded by that camera, writing that Westman seemed agitated after a visit with family and at times sobbed before driving by the church and school the night before the attack.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • The Lindsay Clancy trial has captivated the nation, spurring furious online debate on the state of maternal healthcare and whether she should be held criminally responsible for killing her three children.
    — Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Simply put, the SEC is furious that LSU has challenged the conference’s attempts to enforce its eligibility rules for athletes returning from professional sports.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of furious
Adjective
  • That gave way to sadness and the responsibility of consoling distraught students.
    — USA TODAY staff, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Residents would come to her distraught when repair estimates for their cooling systems topped their annual rent.
    — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of distraught
Adjective
  • Crowder would not have been that mad if the guy had just fessed up and said something normal in his own voice.
    — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
  • But, as mad as the idea may have seemed back then, the tradition is still going strong 40 years later with participants coming from around the world to cast their dignity aside — along with a warm robe — and take the plunge into the freezing water.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of mad
Adjective
  • Trump’s approval ratings, however, are at an all-time low, and the party is worried about MAGA voters not turning out in large numbers.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
  • There’s a generational gap in the concerns, with people increasingly worried about younger generations and entry-level jobs getting eaten by AI.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway owns BNSF, and the railroad is a fierce critic of Vena’s takeover bid for Norfolk Southern.
    — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Aaron Donald, one of the fiercest pass rushers in NFL history, is coming out of retirement to rejoin the Rams in hopes of winning another Super Bowl title.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Michael was still frightened and disoriented by what had taken place over spring break.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Roosevelt offered frightened and dispirited Americans a vision of a secure future.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Broadly, the rule of thumb is to drink it during periods of intense competition (to allow for muscle recovery) while avoiding it during periods of training (to promote muscle development).
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Expect Missouri to come out sharper and fired up, as both teams will be for this intense rivalry.
    — PJ Green September 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of intense

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Cite this Entry

“Frantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frantic. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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