frantically

adverb

fran·​ti·​cal·​ly ˈfran-ti-k(ə-)lē 

: in a frantic manner : in a nervously hurried, desperate, or panic-stricken way

searching frantically for the key fob

[Carlton] Fisk stood several feet down the line, frantically urging the ball fair with his hands. It hit the yellow foul pole above the wall, a home run.

—Ron Fimrite

Wine companies, fearing that younger drinkers are slipping out of their grasp, have been frantically trying to create products that will be viewed as edgy, hip and fun.

—Mitch Frank

During the new moon, a hatch of baby sea turtles erupts from the sand, struggling frantically to get to the ocean.

—Bernice Notenboom

Synonyms of frantically

• wildly
• desperately
• wild
• uncontrollably
• frenziedly

Examples of frantically in a Sentence

the veterinarian ran frantically from room to room looking for the escaped hamster

Recent Examples on the Web

While robot dance performances and boxing matches get headlines, manufacturers are frantically searching for real-world applications for their tech. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026

Mitch frantically tuned in on his iPad and tried to contain his excitement as his brother had an outstanding debut, nearly leading the Chargers to victory. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

The roommate approached the Lyft car as the driver frantically tried to drive away, according to the lawsuit. — Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2026

Upstairs in the club’s offices in Soho, central London, Palace’s hierarchy, recruitment team, secretaries and other staff worked frantically under pressure as the 11pm deadline ticked ever closer. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frantically

• romantically