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

But the rabid fans were left disappointed as Lahore’s temperamental weather spoiled the party and ended what had been an engrossing match. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

West should be ostracized for his rabid antisemitism. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

Rumors of an engagement to longtime boyfriend Tom Holland remain unconfirmed, but try telling that to the legions of Zendaya fans, whose rabid speculation kicked into overdrive on social media before the Golden Globes telecast had ended. —Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Jan. 2025

This is a very famous spinoff of a very famous show that has a rabid fanbase. —H. Alan Scott, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

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