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
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
There's no need for a language barrier to cause a frantic rush to cram in the language a week before your trip.
—
Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
There are unexpected movements, too, plus frantic activity between the more than 20 frames that surround the stage.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
The frantic imagery was shot using a Ronin 4D and a Filmotechnic Technoscope F27 crane to embellish a feeling of claustrophobia.
—Daron James, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
The backup car used for the win Sunday night was built in the frantic final 24 hours before the race by a crew of 30.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for frantic
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Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
There are unexpected movements, too, plus frantic activity between the more than 20 frames that surround the stage.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
The frantic imagery was shot using a Ronin 4D and a Filmotechnic Technoscope F27 crane to embellish a feeling of claustrophobia.
—Daron James, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
The backup car used for the win Sunday night was built in the frantic final 24 hours before the race by a crew of 30.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for frantic
Cite this Entry
“Frantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frantic. Accessed 4 Jun. 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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