Frantic: meaning, definitions and examples

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frantic

[ ˈfræn.tɪk ]

Adjective / Adverb

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or showing great distress or worry

Frantic describes a state of panic or wild activity. It implies a loss of control or extreme agitation. People often feel frantic when they are overwhelmed or faced with a crisis.

Synonyms

agitated, distressed, panicked.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
frantic	Frantic is used when someone is extremely worried or anxious to the point of being out of control due to urgency or fear. She made a frantic search for her missing keys The parents were frantic after losing sight of their child in the crowd
panicked	Panicked describes a sudden, overwhelming fear that causes someone to act irrationally or without thinking. This term usually has a negative connotation. When the fire alarm went off, everybody panicked and ran out of the building He panicked upon realizing he had lost his wallet
distressed	Distressed is used to describe someone who is experiencing deep emotional pain or suffering, often due to misfortune or worry. She was distressed by the bad news about her friend The distressed animal looked like it needed help
agitated	Agitated refers to someone who is visibly upset or nervous, often shown through restless or irritable behavior. He was visibly agitated after the heated argument The dog's constant barking made everyone agitated

Examples of usage

She was frantic with worry when she couldn't find her child.
The frantic pace of the city overwhelmed me.
Don't panic, just try to remain calm in this frantic situation.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

in a hurried or chaotic manner

Frantically is an adverb form of frantic, indicating the way in which an action is performed. It suggests a sense of urgency, haste, or disarray.

Synonyms

chaotically, hurriedly, urgently.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
frantic	Frantic is best used when describing a state of desperate or extreme agitation, especially when someone is trying to achieve something quickly and is visibly stressed or anxious. She made a frantic call to the emergency services. He searched the house in a frantic attempt to find his keys.
hurriedly	Hurriedly is best suited for situations where actions are performed quickly due to time constraints, often without much attention to detail. He packed his bag hurriedly and rushed out the door. She completed the assignment hurriedly just before the deadline.
chaotically	Chaotically is appropriate when describing a situation that is completely disordered and confusing, often resulting from a lack of control. The papers were scattered chaotically across the desk. The crowd dispersed chaotically after the alarm went off.
urgently	Urgently is used when describing actions that need immediate attention or are performed with a sense of high priority due to their importance. She was taken to the hospital urgently after the accident. They urgently need volunteers for the event.

Examples of usage

She searched frantically for her lost keys.
He ran frantically to catch the last train of the day.

Translations

Translations of the word "frantic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 frênetico

🇮🇳 पागलपन

🇩🇪 frenetisch

🇮🇩 gila

🇺🇦 божевільний

🇵🇱 frantyczny

🇯🇵 狂った

🇫🇷 frénétique

🇪🇸 frénetico

🇹🇷 çılgın

🇰🇷 광란의

🇸🇦 مجنون

🇨🇿 frantický

🇸🇰 frantický

🇨🇳 疯狂的

🇸🇮 norosten

🇮🇸 brjálaður

🇰🇿 жынды

🇬🇪 შეშლილი

🇦🇿 dəlil

🇲🇽 frenético

Etymology

The word frantic originated from the Middle English word 'frantik', which came from the Old French 'frantique', ultimately derived from the Latin 'phreneticus', meaning 'delirious'. The sense of extreme agitation or panic has been associated with the word since the 16th century.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,950, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11947 untrue
11948 straining
11949 loaf
11950 frantic
11951 cascade
11952 socks
11953 habitually
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