adjective
frantic
FRAN-tik/ˈfræntɪk/
Wildly agitated by fear, distress, or urgency.
The frantic traveler rummages through her bag and empty wallet.
Etymology
Latin phreneticus meant “delirious,” and frantic originally described someone as insane. Its shift to “affected by wild excitement” connects that earlier sense with today's uncontrolled anxiety or haste.
In context
For a few awful minutes, the racking inferno swells to a frantic intensity. The air vibrates to the battering hurricane behind. It is as if trench and sky are rocking and reeling.
More examples
- They made a frantic search.
- His frantic gestures attracted attention.
- The office became frantic before the deadline.
Forms
frantic
frantically adverb — with urgent or uncontrolled agitation
Similar words
- panicked
- Specifically emphasizes fear rather than any urgent agitation.
- frenzied
- Emphasizes intense, uncontrolled activity.