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
Synonyms
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
After a frantic search, he was recovered unconscious in the water about a mile downstream, the family spokesperson told the outlet.
—
Christina Coulter, Fox News, 23 May 2024
The girls field her frantic calls, often en route to their low-wage summer jobs.
—Heller McAlpin, NPR, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for frantic 
Christina Coulter, Fox News, 23 May 2024
The girls field her frantic calls, often en route to their low-wage summer jobs.
—Heller McAlpin, NPR, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for frantic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frantic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near frantic
Cite this Entry
“Frantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frantic. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
franticly
adverb
-i-klē
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