frenzy

1 of 2

noun

fren·​zy ˈfren-zē 

plural frenzies

1

a

: a temporary madness

in a rage amounting to a frenzy

b

: a violent mental or emotional agitation

… almost weeping in a frenzy of anxiety …

—Colleen McCullough

2

: intense usually wild and often disorderly compulsive or agitated activity

a shopping frenzy

… the mob chanted itself into a frenzy …

—C. Carr

frenzy

2 of 2

verb

frenzied; frenzying

transitive verb

: to affect with frenzy

Synonyms of frenzy

Noun

• rampage
• rage
• fury
• hysteria

Verb

• craze
• bother
• distract
• disturb
• upset
• unbalance
• confuse
• derange

Examples of frenzy in a Sentence

Noun

the buying frenzy just before Christmas

in its frenzy to flee the danger, the crowd became uncontrollable, and a number of people were trampled to death

Verb

local football fans who were frenzied by the fact that their team was going to the Super Bowl

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Stocks closely tied to the artificial-intelligence industry broadly became shaky this summer on worries that the AI frenzy may have sent prices too high. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

That could be an encouraging signal for other stocks closely tied to the artificial-intelligence industry, which have become shaky on worries that the AI frenzy may have sent prices too high. — Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Tightening global copper supply, robust demand from the AI boom and uncertainty over tariffs are all whipping up a frenzy for the red metal. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

The meeting involves a glossy new promotional video meant to attract top-notch talent, but its focus on disabled employees drives Arnaud into a politically incorrect frenzy. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English frenesie, franesie, frensy, fransy "insanity, delirium, fit of madness," borrowed from Anglo-French frenesie, frensye, borrowed from Medieval Latin phrenēsia, re-formation of Late Latin phrenēsis "inflammation of the brain, madness," derivative (by analogy with other Greek nouns in -ēsis with corresponding adjectives in -ētikos) of Latin phrenēticus "suffering from madness" — more at frenetic

Verb

derivative of frenzy entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1791, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing frenzy

• feeding frenzy

Kids Definition

frenzy

noun

fren·​zy

ˈfren-zē

plural frenzies

: great and often wild or disorderly activity

Medical Definition

frenzy

noun

fren·​zy ˈfren-zē 

plural frenzies

1

a

: a temporary madness

b

: a violent mental or emotional agitation

2

: intense usually wild and often disorderly compulsive or agitated activity

frenzied

-zēd 

adjective