Frantically Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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frantically

[ˈfræntɪkli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

describing an action

In a hurried, panicked, or frenzied way.

Synonyms

desperately, hurriedly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
frantically	Used when someone is acting with wild, hurried, and often chaotic energy, especially due to panic or urgency. She searched frantically for her lost keys. The team worked frantically to meet the deadline.
desperately	Used when someone acts with a sense of urgency, often driven by a lack of hope or extreme need. He desperately tried to save their relationship. She was desperately looking for a new job after being laid off.
hurriedly	Used when doing something quickly and often carelessly, usually because of time constraints. He hurriedly packed his bags for the trip. She finished her homework hurriedly before the bus arrived.

Word

Description / Examples

frantically

Used when someone is acting with wild, hurried, and often chaotic energy, especially due to panic or urgency.

She searched frantically for her lost keys.
The team worked frantically to meet the deadline.

desperately

Used when someone acts with a sense of urgency, often driven by a lack of hope or extreme need.

He desperately tried to save their relationship.
She was desperately looking for a new job after being laid off.

hurriedly

Used when doing something quickly and often carelessly, usually because of time constraints.

He hurriedly packed his bags for the trip.
She finished her homework hurriedly before the bus arrived.

Examples of usage

She searched frantically for her keys.
He ran frantically to catch the bus before it left.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

describing a state of mind

In a state of panic or desperation.

Synonyms

desperate, frenzied, panicked.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
frantically	Used when someone is acting in a hurried or chaotic manner due to worry, fear, or urgency. She searched frantically for her lost keys. The team worked frantically to meet the deadline.
desperate	Used when someone feels a great need that is pressing or urgent, often as a last resort. He made a desperate attempt to save his business. She was desperate for a solution to her problem.
panicked	Used when someone feels a sudden, overpowering terror or anxiety, leading to confusion and abrupt actions. Often has a negative connotation. She panicked when she realized she was lost. The students panicked during the fire drill.
frenzied	Used to describe a state of wild excitement or uncontrolled activity, often with high energy. The crowd was in a frenzied state during the concert. He worked in a frenzied pace to finish the project.

Examples of usage

She was frantically trying to finish the project before the deadline.
The frantically worried parents waited for news of their missing child.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'frantically'

The word 'frantically' originated from the Middle English word 'frantike', meaning 'insane' or 'mad'. Over time, the meaning evolved to describe actions or states of mind done in a hurried, panicked, or desperate manner. The word has been in use for centuries and continues to be a common descriptor for intense and frenzied behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,786, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
15783 hyperbolic
15784 triumphantly
15785 fared
15786 frantically
15787 hush
15788 mismatch
15789 religiously
...