adjective

frantic

/ˈfræntɪk/ · say it: FRAN·tik

wild with fear or worry

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

1. (adjective) very worried, excited, or hurried in a way that is not calm or controlled

2. (adjective) done in a fast, energetic, but disorganized way

Examples

1. She made frantic calls to the hospital after hearing about the accident.
2. The frantic pace of city life exhausted him.

How to use frantic

Frantic describes a state of intense activity or emotion marked by lack of control or organization. It differs from merely busy or hurried in emphasizing the anxious, almost chaotic quality. It often implies urgency driven by worry or desperation rather than deliberate speed.

Common phrases

frantic pace
frantic search
frantic effort
frantic activity
in a frantic manner

Synonyms

hectic · frenetic · frenzied · panicked · desperate

Opposites

calm · composed · serene

Word family

frantically (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use frantic to mean simply 'busy' or 'fast-paced' without the connotation of being out of control or desperate, which is central to the word's meaning.

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