frantic

adjective

fran·​tic ˈfran-tik 

1

: emotionally out of control

2

: marked by fast and nervous, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity

made a frantic search for the lost child

frantic cries for help

3

archaic : mentally unsound

franticness

ˈfran-tik-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• agitated
• delirious
• distracted
• distrait
• distraught
• frenzied
• hysterical
• hysteric

Examples of frantic in a Sentence

The girl was frantic with fear.

They made a frantic search for the missing child.

They were making frantic preparations for the party.

a frantic attempt to finish on schedule

Recent Examples on the Web

When intentionally chosen, the right scent can even shift your mood—lifting you out of a listless haze or helping ease a frantic pace. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025

Meanwhile, the phone calls for additional funding became more frantic from producers. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025

The battles are limited in number, and yet hinder the sense of progression considerably with their tiresome nature and frantic attack animations. —Sarah Thwaites, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025

The frantic search Biting mosquitoes and the searing touch of the sun woke Riibe up just before 9 a.m., prompting a drowsy trek back to his hotel room. —Alaa Elassar, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English frenetik, frentik, frantike "temporarily deranged, delirious" — more at frenetic

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for frantic

• antic
• atlantic
• gigantic
• pedantic
• romantic
• semantic
• vedantic
• transatlantic
• unromantic

Kids Definition

frantic

adjective

fran·​tic ˈfrant-ik 

1

: wildly excited

frantic cries for help

was frantic with fear

2

: marked by wild and hurried activity

a frantic search for the missing child

frantically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

franticly

-i-klē

adverb