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
His formal daring was inextricably linked to the emotional turbulence in his life: The frantic innovation of his films is a projection of a mind and a heart at unrest.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
However, a frantic phone call from a panicking mother led to an unexpected breach of this secrecy.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
But after days of frantic negotiations, Mr. Trump agreed to pause the tariffs on Mexico and Canada for 30 days after the Canadian and Mexican governments promised to step up their oversight of fentanyl and the border.
—Ana Swanson, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2025
Those of us old enough to remember when such crashes happened more frequently are familiar with the typical flow of events: the initial lack of information; the frantic rush to determine the cause, usually arriving at premature conclusions; the conspiracy theories.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for frantic 
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Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
However, a frantic phone call from a panicking mother led to an unexpected breach of this secrecy.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
But after days of frantic negotiations, Mr. Trump agreed to pause the tariffs on Mexico and Canada for 30 days after the Canadian and Mexican governments promised to step up their oversight of fentanyl and the border.
—Ana Swanson, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2025
Those of us old enough to remember when such crashes happened more frequently are familiar with the typical flow of events: the initial lack of information; the frantic rush to determine the cause, usually arriving at premature conclusions; the conspiracy theories.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for frantic
Dictionary Entries Near frantic
Cite this Entry
“Frantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frantic. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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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