frantic
adjective
fran·tic ˈfran-tik 
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 deranged
franticness
ˈfran-tik-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
- agitated
- delirious
- distracted
- distrait
- distraught
- frenzied
- hysterical
- hysteric
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 But the book’s frantic pace and vivid prose feel true to the artist. 
Sam Sacks, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 The frantic pace of the pardons even created a lucrative cottage industry that enriched those in Trump’s circle who held his ear. Dylan Jackson, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 The frantic pandemic pace of the housing market in the United States may be slowing, but the shortage of available homes remains, especially affordable ones. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 The Bear also magnificently captures the frantic pace a successful restaurant demands in the series. Scott King, Forbes, 11 July 2022 The detrimental impact that delivery business has on workers and drivers—a frantic pace, low wages, few workplace protections, and the relentless pressure to meet tight deadlines—is well-documented. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 19 May 2022 In recent decades, the sabbatical was adopted by industries such as law, tech, and management consulting where the long hours and frantic pace can fry employees alive. Anne Kadet, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2022 The Legislature enters a frantic pace in its final hours of the year’s general session. The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Mar. 2022 Owens said there is not one word to sum up the frantic feeling of scrambling to find food for a baby. Fox News, 14 May 2022 See More
Sam Sacks, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 The frantic pace of the pardons even created a lucrative cottage industry that enriched those in Trump’s circle who held his ear. Dylan Jackson, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 The frantic pandemic pace of the housing market in the United States may be slowing, but the shortage of available homes remains, especially affordable ones. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 The Bear also magnificently captures the frantic pace a successful restaurant demands in the series. Scott King, Forbes, 11 July 2022 The detrimental impact that delivery business has on workers and drivers—a frantic pace, low wages, few workplace protections, and the relentless pressure to meet tight deadlines—is well-documented. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 19 May 2022 In recent decades, the sabbatical was adopted by industries such as law, tech, and management consulting where the long hours and frantic pace can fry employees alive. Anne Kadet, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2022 The Legislature enters a frantic pace in its final hours of the year’s general session. The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Mar. 2022 Owens said there is not one word to sum up the frantic feeling of scrambling to find food for a baby. Fox News, 14 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English frenetik, frentik, frantike "temporarily deranged, delirious" — more at frenetic
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Kids Definition
frantic
adjective
fran·tic ˈfran-tik
1
: feeling or showing fear and worry
a frantic search
2
: having wild and hurried activity
They made a frantic attempt to finish.
frantic
adjective
1
as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry the frantic parents were searching all over the fairgrounds for their lost child Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- agitated
- distraught
- worried
- frightened
- scared
- terrified
- frenzied
- hysteric
- hysterical
- delirious
- upset
- distracted
- anxious
- horrified
- alarmed
- distrait
- troubled
- nervous
- disturbed
- alarmed
- beside oneself
- perturbed
- crazed
- tense
- maniacal
- disquieted
- maniac
- deranged
- aghast
- demented
- fearful
- mad
- terrorized
- berserk
- spooked
- raging
- affrighted
- nuclear
- ballistic
- raving
- ranting
- wrought (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- collected
- calm
- serene
- composed
- tranquil
- placid
- peaceful
- recollected
- unhysterical
- undisturbed
- untroubled
- unperturbed
- self-possessed
- unworried
- cool
- self-composed
- unshaken
- coolheaded
- self-collected
- self-possessed
2
as in furious
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity the holiday season seems to be moving along at a frantic pace Synonyms & Similar Words
- furious
- mad
- fierce
- intense
- intensive
- frenzied
- frenetic
- ferocious
- violent
- delirious
- feverish
- wild
- rabid
- excessive
- concentrated
- crazed
- vehement
- crazy
- extreme
- maniacal
- inordinate
- irrational
- extravagant
- undue
- deranged
- exorbitant
- insane
- maniac
- lunatic
- demented
- lavish
- high-pressured
- immoderate
- unconscionable
- overmuch
- overweening
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- subdued
- relaxed
- calm
- serene
- quiet
- tranquil
- placid
- peaceful
- untroubled
- reasonable
- undisturbed
- unperturbed
- moderate
- casual
- easygoing
- sane
- sound
- temperate
- balanced
- low-pressure